Data center with free-space optical communications

ABSTRACT

A data center for executing a data processing application includes processing units, sub-units or servers. Each of the processing units, sub-units or servers can execute a part or all of the data processing application. The processing units, sub-units or servers are electrical disjoint with respect to data communications, but can communicate with each other over free space optical links.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to and claims the benefit of theearliest available effective filing date(s) from the following listedapplication(s) (the “Related Applications”) (e.g., claims earliestavailable priority dates for other than provisional patent applicationsor claims benefits under 35 USC §119(e) for provisional patentapplications, for any and all parent, grandparent, great-grandparent,etc. applications of the Related Application(s)). All subject matter ofthe Related Applications and of any and all parent, grandparent,great-grandparent, etc. applications of the Related Applications isincorporated herein by reference to the extent such subject matter isnot inconsistent herewith.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the presentapplication constitutes a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/655,067, entitled DATA CENTER WITH FREE-SPACEOPTICAL COMMUNICATIONS, naming Howard L. Davidson, James R. Hamilton,Roderick A. Hyde, Arne Josefsberg, Edward K. Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare,Robert W. Lord, Kenneth Lustig, William Henry Mangione-Smith, MichaelManos, Craig J. Mundie, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Richard F. Rashid, BurtonSmith, Clarence T. Tegreene, Robert V. Welland, Charles Whitmer andLowell L. Wood, Jr. as inventors, filed 21 Dec. 2009, now U.S. Pat. No.8,301,028, or is an application of which a currently co-pendingapplication is entitled to the benefit of the filing date. The UnitedStates Patent Office (USPTO) has published a notice to the effect thatthe USPTO's computer programs require that patent applicants referenceboth a serial number and indicate whether an application is acontinuation or continuation-in-part. Stephen G. Kunin, Benefit ofPrior-Filed Application, USPTO Official Gazette Mar. 18, 2003, availableat http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/com/sol/og/2003/week11/patbene.htm.The present Applicant Entity (hereinafter “Applicant”) has providedabove a specific reference to the application(s) from which priority isbeing claimed as recited by statute. Applicant understands that thestatute is unambiguous in its specific reference language and does notrequire either a serial number or any characterization, such as“continuation” or “continuation-in-part,” for claiming priority to U.S.patent applications. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Applicantunderstands that the USPTO's computer programs have certain data entryrequirements, and hence Applicant is designating the present applicationas a continuation-in-part of its parent applications as set forth above,but expressly points out that such designations are not to be construedin any way as any type of commentary and/or admission as to whether ornot the present application contains any new matter in addition to thematter of its parent application(s).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates, in general, to data centers, which arefacilities used to house computer systems and associated components,such as telecommunications and storage systems. In particular, theapplication relates to data and signal communications in a data center.

BACKGROUND

A data center or computer room (also called a server farm) is a facilityor room used to house computer systems and associated components forcompanies and organizations. The facility usually includes environmentalcontrols (air conditioning, fire suppression, etc.), redundant/backuppower supplies, and redundant data communications connections. Somemodern data centers may contain tens of thousands of computers orservers. Many cables are necessary to connect all the components andmethods to accommodate and organize these have been devised, such asstandard racks to mount equipment, elevated floors, and cable trays(installed overhead or under the elevated floor).

Modern data centers may conform to industry design standards (e.g., theTIA-942 Telecommunications Infrastructure Standards for Data Centers).The TIA-942 infrastructure standards set forth, for example, designconsiderations for site space and layout and cabling infrastructure fordata centers. However, even in data centers designed to standards,cabling requirements impose severe constraints the type and number ofcomponents that can be deployed in a give space, and on theirserviceability.

Consideration is now being given to data center infrastructure. Inparticular attention is directed to processing components,communications links and network architecture in the data center.

SUMMARY

Data center devices, environments, and methods for executing a dataprocessing application are provided.

A data center for executing a data processing application includesprocessing units, sub-units or servers. Each of the processing units,sub-units or servers can execute a part or all of the data processingapplication. In the data center, the processing units, sub-units orservers are electrical disjoint with respect to data communications, butcan communicate with each other over optical links or interconnections.

The processing units, sub-units or servers may, for example, be arrangedin groups, clusters, or “bottles.” An exemplary data center bottleincludes a plurality of data processing units (DPUs) coupled to anoptical interface unit (OIU). The data center bottle is configured to bedeployed in a data center having an internal network of one or more freespace optical communication links between a plurality of nodal pointsdistributed across the data center. The OIU is configured to connect ordisconnect the data center bottle to or from the internal network of oneor more free space optical communication links.

An exemplary data center utilizes a free-space optical communicationlinks network, which may be reconfigurable, for data and/or controlsignal communications between data center components or units. Thefree-space optical communication may provide support dynamicallyassigned point-to-point virtual circuits. Further, the free-spaceoptical communication links can provide flexibility in packing,serviceability, replacement and/or upgrading of components of the datacenter.

An exemplary data center bottle includes a plurality of data processingunits (DPUs) coupled to an optical interface unit (OIU). Each of theDPUs is configured to run a part or all of a data processingapplication. The data center bottle is configured to be deployed in adata center having an internal network of one or more free space opticalcommunication links between a plurality of nodal points distributedacross the data center, and the OIU is configured to connect ordisconnect the data center bottle to or from the internal network of oneor more free space optical communication links.

A further exemplary data center includes a plurality of data centerunits (DCUs) disposed in a region. Each DCU is configured to run a partor all of a data processing application. At least a first of theplurality of data center units has an optical interface unit (OIU)responsive to optical control signals. The data center further includesan internal network of one or more free space optical control and/ordata communication links between nodal points associated with individualDCUs across the data center, and a network controller configured toconnect or disconnect the plurality of data center units from theinternal network.

In general, the plurality of data center units may include one or moreof data center bottles and/or data processing units. The data centerbottles may include one or more data processing units, which may includeone or more data processing circuits (e.g., electronic modules, boxes,servers, cards, boards, and/or racks or free standing assembliesthereof). A data center unit of claim 396 may include an internal powergrid configured to distribute power to the one or more of data centerbottles, data processing units and/or data processing circuits therein.

A still further exemplary data center includes a plurality of datacenter units (DCUs) disposed in a region. Each DCU is configured to runa part or all of a data processing application. At least one of the DCUsis a mobile DCU movable between a first and a second location in theregion. The mobile DCU may include a location device (e.g., a locationreporter, a beacon, a tracking unit, and a corner cube, etc.). The datacenter may include a tracking device configured to determine a positionof the mobile DCU (e.g., an intra-data-center positioning system, atheodolite, a total station transit device, electronic distancemeasuring device or galvanometer, grids, floor markings, a bar codeand/or fiducial readers, etc.). The data center further includesreconfigurable internal network of one or more free space opticalcommunication links inter-linking of one or more of the plurality ofDCU, and a network controller configured to control inter-linking of oneor more of the plurality of DCUs including the mobile DCU at its firstand second locations to the reconfigurable internal network.

Another exemplary data center includes a plurality of data center units(DCUs) disposed in a region. Each DCU is configured to run a part or allof a data processing application. The data center further includes aninternal network of one or more free space optical communication linksto at least a first of the plurality of data center units, a modulatorco-disposed with the first of the plurality of data center units in theregion, and at least one light beam source disposed external to thefirst of the plurality of data center units and configured to provide araw light beam to the modulator. The modulator is configured to modulatethe raw light beam and transmit a modulated light beam over the one ormore free space optical communication links.

An exemplary data center unit (DCU) includes one or more data processingunits that are configured to run a part or all of a data processingapplication, and a modulator coupled to the one or more data processingunits. The DCU is configured to be connected to other devices via anetwork of one or more free space optical communication links, and themodulator is configured to modulate a raw light beam received from asource external to the DCU and to transmit a modulated light beam overthe one or more free space optical communication links.

A still another exemplary data center includes a plurality of datacenter units (DCUs) disposed in a region. Each DCU is configured to runa part or all of a data processing application, and at least one of theDCUs is configured to broadcast optical control and/or data signals inthe region over an internal network of one or more free space opticalcommunication links.

A yet another exemplary data center includes a plurality of data centerunits (DCUs) disposed in a region. Each DCU is configured to run a partor all of a data processing application, and at least one DCU includesan optical receiver having a receiving position. The optical receiver inits receiving position is configured to receive multiple optical controland/or data signals over a one or more free space optical communicationlinks leading to the at least one DCU.

Another exemplary data center unit (DCU) includes one or more data oneor more data processing units that are configured to run a part or allof a data processing application, and a transmitter and/or a receivercoupled to the one or more data processing units. The transmitter isconfigured to broadcast optical data signals over a plurality of opticalcommunication links extending from the DCU, and the receiver isconfigured to receive multiple optical control and/or data signals overone or more free space optical communication links leading to the DCU.

An additional exemplary data center includes a plurality of data centerunits (DCUs). Each DCU is configured to run a part or all of one or moredata processing applications. One of more of the DCUs are coupled to aninternal network of one or more free space optical communication linksbetween the DCUs, and the internal network is configured to supportmulti-wavelength and/or multi-polarization optical communications overthe links.

A yet another exemplary data center unit (DCU) includes one or more dataprocessing units that are configured to run a part or all of a dataprocessing application, and an optical interface unit (OIU) configuredto couple the DCU unit to a network of one or more free space opticalcommunication links. The network may be configured to supportmulti-wavelength and/or multi-polarization optical communications overthe one or more links.

A different exemplary data center includes a first set of data centerunits (DCUs), and a second set of DCUs coupled to the first set of DCUsvia an internal network of one or more optical communication links. EachDCU is configured to run a part or all of a data processing application.The internal network includes at least a first network hub and a secondnetwork hub, and the first and second set of DCUs are linked to thefirst and second network hubs, respectively, via one or more free spaceoptical communication links.

Another exemplary data center bottle includes a data processing unithaving a wired, an optical, a wireless, and/or a microwave powerreceiver. The data processing unit may, for example, be configured torun a part or all of a data processing application using, for example,optical and/or wireless power received by the power receiver. A yetdifferent exemplary data center includes a plurality of data centerunits (DCUs) disposed in a region. Each DCU is configured to run a partor all of a data processing application. Each DCU may include aninternal power grid configured to distribute power to the one or more ofdata center bottles, data processing units and/or data processingcircuits in the DCU.

The data center further includes a power distribution system configuredto distribute optical and/or wireless power to the plurality of datacenter units disposed in the region. At least a first of the pluralityof data center units is configured to run its part or all of the dataprocessing application using optical and/or wireless power received viathe power distribution system.

A still different exemplary data center includes a plurality of bottles.Each bottle has one or more data processing units (DPUs) configured torun a part or all of a data processing application. At least a first ofthe plurality of bottles has an optical interface unit (OIU) configuredto connect or disconnect the first bottle to or from an inter-bottlenetwork of one or more free space optical communication links betweenthe plurality of bottles in the data center. The one or more dataprocessing units (DPUs) in the first bottle are communicatively linkedby an intra-bottle network which is optically decoupled from theinter-bottle network.

A still another exemplary data center unit (DCU) includes one or moredata processing units (DPUs) that are configured to run a part or all ofa data processing application, and an optical interface unit (OIU)coupled to the one or more DPUs. The OIU is configured to couple the DCUto a network of one or more free space optical communication links. Forthis purpose, the OIU includes one or more independently steerable lighttransmitting elements, independently steerable light redirectingelements, and/or independently steerable light receiving elements.

A further different exemplary data center unit (DCU) includes one ormore data processing units (DPUs) that are configured to run a part orall of a data processing application, and an optical interface unit(OIU) coupled to the one or more DPUs. The OIU is configured to couplethe DCU to a network of one or more free space optical communicationlinks. The OIU includes one or more electrooptically steerable elementsfor transmitting, redirecting, and/or receiving communications over thefree space optical communication links.

A different data center includes a plurality of data center units (DCUs)disposed in a region. Each DCU is configured to run a part or all of adata processing application. At least a first of the plurality of datacenter units has an optical interface unit (OIU), which is configured tocouple the DCU to an internal network of one or more free space opticalcommunication links. The OIU may include one or more independentlysteerable transmitting elements, independently steerable redirectingelements, and/or independently steerable receiving elements forcommunications over the free space optical communication links. The OIUmay, alternatively or additionally, include one or more electroopticallysteerable elements for transmitting, redirecting, and/or receivingcommunications over the free space optical communication links.

Methods for executing a data processing application involve providingdata center environments and data center components (e.g., bottles,units or processing units or circuitry) including stationary or mobilecomponents, for processing a part or all of the data processingapplication. The data center components may include one or more ofelectronic modules, boxes, servers, cards, boards, and/or racks or freestanding assemblies thereof. The methods can include further providingother data center components (e.g., a cooling unit, a wireless and/oroptical power receiver, a power storage unit and/or a beacon or otherdevice configured to indicate a location of a data center component, anexternal access interface/controller, optical interface unit/networkcontroller, a router, etc.).

The methods also provide or involve internal networks of optical linksfor communications between various data center bottles, units, or othercomponents in a data center. The internal networks can involve freespace optical communication links between a plurality of nodal pointsdistributed across the data center.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to belimiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, andfeatures described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features ofthe solutions will become apparent by reference to the drawings and thefollowing detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary data centercontainer or bottle coupled to an optical communications interface unit,in accordance with the principles of the solutions described herein;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary data centerdeploying a plurality of data center container or bottle that are linkedby an internal network of free space optical communication links, inaccordance with the principles of the solutions described herein;

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are block diagrams further illustrating the exemplarydata center and the internal network of FIG. 2, in accordance with theprinciples of the solutions described herein;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary data centerdeploying one or more mobile data center bottles or units, in accordancewith the principles of the solutions described herein;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary data center unit,which includes a light beam modulator configured to modulate a raw lightbeam and to transmit a modulated light beam over a free space opticalcommunication link, in accordance with the principles of the solutionsdescribed herein;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary data centerdeploying one or more of the data center units of FIG. 7, in accordancewith the principles of the solutions described herein;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary data centerdeploying one or more of the data center units that are configured tobroadcast optical control and/or data signals over an internal networkof one or more optical communication links, in accordance with theprinciples of the solutions described herein;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary data center unit,which includes a data signal transmitter and/or a receiver coupled tothe one or more data processing units therein, in accordance with theprinciples of the solutions described herein;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary data center unit,which is configured to be deployed in a data center having a networksupporting multi-wavelength and/or multi-polarization opticalcommunications, in accordance with the principles of the solutionsdescribed herein;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary data centerdeploying one or more of the data center units of FIG. 10 and/or FIG.11, in accordance with the principles of the solutions described herein;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary data center and aninternal network of optical communication links between data processingunits of the data center, in accordance with the principles of thesolutions described herein;

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary data center bottle,which includes one or more data processing units coupled to an optical,microwave and/or wireless power, in accordance with the principles ofthe solutions described herein;

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary data centerdeploying one or more of the data center units of FIG. 14, in accordancewith the principles of the solutions described herein.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary data centerdeploying one or more bottles having data processing units, aninter-bottle network of free space optical communication links betweenthe bottles, and an intra-bottle network of communication links betweenthe data processing units, in accordance with the principles of thesolutions described herein.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating exemplary data center unitshaving optical interface units that include independently steerablelight transmitting elements, independently steerable light redirectingelements, independently steerable light receiving elements, and/orelectro-optical steering elements for communications over the free spaceoptical communication links, in accordance with the principles of thesolutions described herein.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary data centerdeploying one or more of the data center units of FIG. 17, in accordancewith the principles of the solutions described herein.

FIGS. 19-37 are flow diagrams illustrating exemplary methods forexecuting a data processing application in a data center or server farm,in accordance with the principles of the solutions described herein.

FIG. 38 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary data centerdeploying circuitry to predict or anticipate communication needs betweenone or more DCUs in the execution of a data processing application inthe data center, and a network controller that is configured todynamically establish free space optical links between the one or moreDCUs to meet the predicted or anticipated communication needs, inaccordance with the principles of the solutions described herein.

Throughout the figures, unless otherwise stated, the same referencenumerals and characters are used to denote like features, elements,components, or portions of the illustrated embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings,similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless contextdictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in thedetailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting.Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made,without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matterpresented here.

An exemplary data center utilizes free-space optical communication linksnetwork, which may be reconfigurable, for data and/or control signalcommunications between data center components or units. The free-spaceoptical communication may provide support dynamically assignedpoint-to-point virtual circuits. Further, the free-space opticalcommunication links can provide flexibility in packing, serviceability,replacement and/or upgrading of components of the data center.

The processing units, sub-units or servers may, for example, be arrangedin groups, clusters, or “bottles.” An exemplary data center bottleincludes a plurality of data processing units (DPUs) coupled to anoptical interface unit (OIU). The data center bottle is configured to bedeployed in a data center having an internal network of one or more freespace optical communication links between a plurality of nodal pointsdistributed across the data center. The OIU is configured to connect ordisconnect the data center bottle to or from the internal network of oneor more free space optical communication links.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary data center container or bottle 110 coupled toan optical communications interface unit (OIU) 120. Data center bottle110 includes a plurality of data processing units (DPUs) 130. The DPUsmay be servers, computers, electronic modules, boxes, servers, cards,boards, racks and/or other processing circuitry. Each DPU 130 may beconfigured to run or process a part or all of a data processingapplication. Data center bottle 110 may be configured to be deployed ina data center having an internal network of one or more free spaceoptical communication links (e.g., links 140) between a plurality ofnodal points 150 distributed across the data center. Data center bottle110 may include control circuitry configured to supervise operations ofthe OIU 120 and/or other data processing unit components (e.g., coolingunit 112, energy storage battery 113, wireless power receiver 114, andmotion mechanism 115).

Data center bottle 110 may include an intra-bottle communicationsnetwork 142 of data and/or control signal links interconnecting DPUs 130in the bottle. The intra-bottle communications network may utilize oneor more of wires, conductors, transmission lines, optical fibers,electromagnetic waveguides, free space optical and/or free spaceelectromagnetic wave links for data and/or control signals between theDPUs. Further, OIU 120 may be configured to connect the intra-bottlecommunications network 142 to the internal network of one or more freespace optical communication links.

OIU 120 may include suitable optical devices (e.g., a light beamtransmitter, pass-through device, and/or a receiver, a beam splitter orbeam former, an optical beam generator, a beam-forming circuitry, anoptical signal receiver/detector, an optical beam modulator, an opticalbeam director, a steerable optical element, an electrical-to-opticalsignal convertor, an optical-to-electrical signal converter, electricaland/or optical switchgear, coupling optics, etc.) to send and/or receivedata or other optical signals over links 140. OIU 120 may also includesuitable scanning and alignment mechanisms and control circuitry for thevarious electro-mechanical or electro-optical devices therein. Further,OIU 120 may be configured to connect or disconnect the data centerbottle to or from the internal network of one or more free space opticalcommunication links 140, for example, under free space optical signalcontrol. For this purpose, OIU 120 may include any suitable arrangement(e.g., opto-mechanical and/or opto-electric transducers) responsive tooptical signal control to connect or disconnect the data processingbottle to or from the internal network. The free space optical controlsignal may, for example, be transmitted over a control portion ofinternal network link 140 or other link (e.g., directly) from acontroller.

Data center bottle 110 may be free-standing, i.e. operable without beingphysically connected to external power or utility sources. Data centerbottle 110 may have optional internal power and utility sources, whichallow bottle 110 to operate independently of fixed or wired utility orpower connections. For example, data center bottle 110 may optionallyinclude one or more of an internal cooling unit 112, an energy storagebattery 113, and a wireless and/or optical power receiver 114. Coolingunit 112, which may utilize refrigerants, cryogens, and/or air or liquidcoolants, may be configured to cool one or more data center components.Energy storage battery 113, which may be a rechargeable battery, may beconfigured to supply power to one or more data center components fortheir operation. Like wise, wireless and/or optical power receiver 114may be configured receive “cable free” power for the operation of bottle110 components.

Data center bottle 110 may further include a motion mechanism 115 (e.g.,a set of motorized wheels) that allows data center bottle 110 to move,for example, from one location to another location in a data center.Data center bottle 110 may be configured to operate (i.e. process data)even while in motion. Data center bottle 110 may include alocation-indicating beacon which indicates a location and/or orientationof the data center bottle. The beacon may be a part of OIU 120 or be aseparate unit.

FIGS. 2-5 show an exemplary data center 200 in which a plurality of datacenter units (DCUs) disposed in a space or region. With reference toFIG. 2, each DCU may include one or more of data center bottles, dataprocessing units, data processing circuits, electronic modules, boxes,servers, cards, boards, and/or racks or free standing assembliesthereof. The DCUs may, for example, include one or more data centerbottles 110. Each DCU in data center 200 may configured to run a part orall of a data processing application. Further, at least a first of theplurality of data center units may have an optical interface unit (e.g.,OIU 120) responsive to optical control signals. The optical interfaceunit may include one or more of an optical beam generator, abeam-forming circuitry, an optical signal receiver, an optical signalpass-through device and/or an optical-to-electrical signal converter.One or more of the DCUs in data center 200 may include an optionalwireless, microwave and/or optical power receiver and/or a cooling unit.Further, one or more of the DCUs in data center 200 may be mobile DCUs,which can be moved from one location to another location in data center200. The mobile DCU may include a location device (e.g., a locationreporter, a beacon, a tracking unit, and a corner cube, etc.). The datacenter may include a tracking device configured to determine a positionof the mobile DCU (e.g., an intra-data-center positioning system, atheodolite, a total station transit device, electronic distancemeasuring device or galvanometer, grids, floor markings, a bar codeand/or fiducial readers, etc.).

Data center 200 may include monitoring/sensing and/or balancingmechanisms 265 (e.g., tracks, runners, guides, sensors,location-indicators, bar code or identification readers, power sources,locking mechanisms, etc.) to facilitate movement of mobile DCUs from onelocation to another location in data center 200. One or both of thelocations may be “service” locations at which the mobile DCU is suppliedwith, for example, power, coolants and/or other utilities. For thispurpose, data center 200 may include, for example, power control andsupply circuitry 266. Power control and supply circuitry may include,for example, one or more suitable power supply transceivers 264 disposedat suitable locations in data center to dispense power to mobile DCUs.An exemplary power supply transceiver 264 may, for example, deliverpower to storage battery 113 via a physical contact connection. Powersupply transceiver 264 may, alternatively or additionally deliver powerto wireless power receiver 114 via inductive coupling. Data center 1500may also include a cooling control/power mechanism 267 coupled to one ormore of the DCUs to supply coolants and/or power to cooling unit 112 ina DCU.

The plurality of DCUs in data center 200 may be electrically disjointfor data communications. The plurality of DCUs processing or runningparts of the data processing application may be in communication witheach other only optically (or wirelessly). Data center 200 includes aninternal network 220 of one or more free space optical control and/ordata communication links (140) between nodal points (150) across thedata center. Internal network 220 may include an optical arrangementconfigured to redirect light from a first nodal point 150 to a secondnodal point 150. The optical arrangement may include an arrangement ofdiscrete mirrors, diffractive elements, and/or reflectors configured toredirect light from a first nodal point to a second nodal point in theinternal network. Each link 140 in internal network 220 may includeseparate or common information and control signal bands.

Data center 200 further includes a network controller 210, whichconfigured to connect or disconnect the plurality of data center unitsfrom the internal network. Network controller 210 may be configured tocontrol the optical interface units of the DCUs using optical,electrical and/or electromagnetic signals. For example, networkcontroller 210 may be configured to control the optical interface unitsof the DCUs with free space optical control signals. The free spaceoptical control signals may propagate, for example, on a control band ofa link 140 to an OIU 120. Further, network controller 210 may beconfigured to reposition a mobile DCU in data center 200 to establishthe one or more free space optical communication links 140 in internalnetwork 220. Network controller 210 may reposition the mobile DCU, forexample, in response to a data center application demand, a data centerprocess value and/or an external process value or command.

One or more nodal points 150 in internal network 220 may be associatedwith individual DCUs in data center 200. At least one nodal point 150may correspond to the first of the plurality of data center units' OIU.Further, at least one nodal point 150 may be external to the pluralityof data center units in data center 200. For example, a nodal point 150may be associated with network controller 210. Another nodal point 150may be associated with an external network access interface 240, whichprovides external network access to data center data center 200.Further, for example, nodal points 150 may be associated with passive oractive optical structures 230 disposed on walls or between DCUs in datacenter 200. Each nodal point 150 in internal network 220 may includepassive or active optical structures or elements that are configurableto establish the one or more free space optical communication links 140.The optical structures or elements may, for example, include one or moreof a reflecting mirror, a steerable telescope, a hemispherical lens, anoptical router, an optical-optical switch, an opto-electronic switch,electronic switch an optical beam generator, an optical signalmodulator, an optical frequency convertor, an electric-to opticalconvertor, an optical-to-electric convertor, an electro-optical beamsteering element, an acoustic-optical beam steering element, adiffractive beam steering element, and/or a mechanically steerableoptical element.

In general, one or more nodal points 150, which may be interposed atlocations remote to DCUs 110, may include a reconfigurable nodal point.Like OIU 120, the reconfigurable nodal point may include a passive or anactive optical arrangement 510 of one or more optical elements (e.g., amirror, a steerable mirror, a modulator, a switch, a receiver, atransmitter, and/or a receiver-transmitter) (FIG. 5). The opticalelements (e.g., a fixed or steerable minor disposed at any one of a datacenter region wall, ceiling, floor, and/or boundary) may be configuredto redirect an optical beam incident from a first nodal point 150 in thenetwork 220 to one or more other nodal points 150. The optical elementsmay include an arrangement of discrete mirrors and/or reflectorsconfigured to redirect light from a first nodal point to a second nodalpoint in the internal network. The discrete mirrors and/or reflectorsmay be optically steerable.

With reference to FIG. 5, in an exemplary data center 200, where theplurality of DCUs are disposed in a multiplicity of rows, opticalarrangement 510 may include one or more mirror strips disposed aboutparallel to a first of the multiplicity of rows of the DCUs. The mirrorstrips may be disposed over the multiplicity of rows. A mirror stripdisposed over a first row may, for example, be configured to redirectlight from a first nodal point to a second nodal point in the same row.Further, for example, a mirror strip over a first row may be configuredto redirect light from a first nodal point in the first row to a secondnodal point in a second row that is separated from the first row by anodd number of rows. Alternatively or additionally, optical arrangement510 may include a mirror strip over an open space adjacent to a firstrow configured to redirect light from a first nodal point in the firstrow to a second nodal point in a second row that is separated from thefirst row by an even number of rows. Optical arrangement 510 may includemirror strips may be disposed at a substantial angle [e.g., of about 45degrees] to a first of the plurality of rows of the DCUs and configuredto redirect light from a first nodal point in a first row to a secondnodal point at about the end of the first row. Optical arrangement 510may further include structures, blockers, screens and/or baffles toblock stray light. An optical arrangement 510 may itself form a nodalpoint 150 of first nodal point 150 in the network 220.

In an implementation of data center 200, internal network 220 mayinclude one or more free space optical control and/or data communicationlinks 140 between N nodal points (A, B, C . . . ) across the data centerregion. The N nodal points may include one or more nodal pointscorresponding to individual DCUs connected to the internal networkand/or one or more nodal points disposed at locations that are remotewith respect to the individual DCUs. The free space optical controland/or data communication links 140 may be preset or reconfigurableduring data center operations. Further, links 140 between the N nodalpoints (A, B, C . . . ) may be direct or indirect. Network controller210 may include a router disposed at a remote nodal point A external tothe plurality of DCUs. The router may be configured to establish the oneor more free space optical control and/or data communication linksbetween nodal points (B, C . . . ). An exemplary router, which mayinclude an electro-optical deflector, may be configured to switch aB-to-A link to an A-to-C link. The router may, additionally oralternatively, be arranged to pre-establish the one or more free spaceoptical control and/or data communication links between the nodal points(A, B, . . . ) based on a pointing table. The router may be configuredto establish or one-to-many links between the nodal points (A, B, . . .) and/or N-to-N connectivity between the nodal points (A, B, . . . ).The router may establish N-to-N connectivity between the nodal points(A, B, . . . ) by establishing one-to many links from a nodal point A toM other nodal points, where M<N.

One or more free space optical communication links 140 in internalnetwork 220 may be preset for data center 200 operations. Additionallyor alternatively, one or more links 140 may be a dynamic linkestablishable during data center operations, for example, under thesupervision of network controller 210 and/or a DCU's OIU (e.g., OIU120). Network controller 210 and/or OIU 120 may be configured toestablish the dynamic link during data center operations using, forexample, using a search or scanning process to identify appropriatenodal points 150. Further, network controller 210 and/or OIU 120 may beconfigured to establish the dynamic link during data center operationsin response to a data center process value and/or an external processvalue or command.

One or more free space optical communication links 140 in internalnetwork 220 across the data center 200 may be nodal point-to-nodal pointlink and/or a nodal point-to-multinodal point link. Links 140 mayinclude links between a DCU and its neighbors according to a specifiedhierarchy. For example, the links may be arranged to include linksbetween a DCU and its proximate or nearest neighbors or only between aDCU and its next nearest neighbor, etc.

One or more free space optical communication links 140 may have low andhigh bandwidth channels. The low bandwidth channels may, for example, beRF communication channels and the high bandwidth channels may, forexample, be optical wavelength communication channels. Internal network220 may be configured to send, for example, instructions, statusinformation, sensor data and/or other low payload signals over the lowbandwidth channels and application data and/or other high payloadsignals over the high bandwidth channels. Internal network 220 may, forexample, be configured to respectively send low payload and high payloadsignals over the low and high bandwidth channels in parallel.

Optical communication links 140 in internal network 220 may be arrangedin a bus, a star, a ring and/or a hybrid topology. Further, internalnetwork 220 may include internal buffers (270) configured to compensatefor link path-length differences. Internal network 220 may be configuredso that at least two of the optical communication links have equallengths. Exemplary internal network 220 of optical data communicationlinks 140 may include tunable and/or fixed-type add-drops, skip-routedrings and/or quartile rings. The network may be further configured toprovide expander-graph type redundant interconnectivity (e.g., redundantmeshes operating at a number of discrete wavelengths) between the DCUs.

With reference to FIG. 3, which shows further features of data center200, in an exemplary internal network 220, DCU-DCU optical communicationlinks 140 may be arranged so that at least a first group of DCU-DCUlinks (>2 links) passes through a first hub 310. One or more links 140to hub 310 may have multiple distinct wavelength channels. A selectionof the group of data center units linked to the first hub may bedynamic. Hub 310 may include an N×N switch operable to interconnect thegroup of data center units. Alternatively of additionally hub 310 mayinclude a lambda-router. Internal network 220 may include one or morecentral hubs (e.g., hub 310). Exemplary internal network 220 may furtherinclude an arrangement of links from a first sub hub 312 to a selectedgrouping of data center units and links from the first sub-hub 312 tothe first hub 310, a second sub-hub 312 and/or other DCU. The selectedgrouping of data center units linked to the first sub hub may bedynamic. Data center 200 may include suitable switches operable toconnect the selected grouping of data center units to the hub, thesecond sub-hub and/or the other data center unit.

Exemplary hub 310 and/or sub hub 312 may include a hologram, which isconfigured to redirect one or more incident light beams according to apredefined routing. The predefined routing may be digitally written inthe hologram, for example, before or during data center operation.

With reference to FIG. 4, data center 200 may further include a router(240) configured to route data between the DCUs over the one or morefree space optical communication links 140 (FIG. 4). Router 240 may, forexample, be a passive router, an active router, a mirror assembly, aholographic reflector, an optical switch, and/or a receiver/transmitterwith electronic switching. Router 240 may be configured to use logicaladdressing for routing data between the data center units and may routedata to one or more mailboxes in lieu of a physical address. Router 240may be configured to map data to and/or from the one or more mailboxes242 to one or more of the DCUs. One or more mailboxes 242 may correspondto one or more different data center applications and/or data centerunits. Mailboxes 242 may be dynamically assignable during data centeroperations to one or more different data center applications and/orDCUs.

Data center 200 may further include an access interface 250 coupling thedata center to the external network (FIG. 4). Access interface 250 mayinclude one or more optical elements configured to link the externalnetwork to internal network 220 of the one or more free space opticalcommunication links 140. The one or more optical elements comprise atleast one of a reflecting mirror, a steerable telescope, a hemisphericallens, an optical-optical switch, an opto-electronic switch, electronicswitch an optical beam generator, an optical signal modulator, anoptical frequency convertor, an electric-to optical convertor, anoptical-to-electric convertor, an electro-optical beam steering element,an acoustic-optical beam steering element, a diffractive beam steeringelement, and/or a mechanically steerable optical element.

A network access controller 260, which may be internal or external todata center 200, may be arranged to interface data center 200 to anexternal data network (e.g. via access interface 250). Network accesscontroller 260 may be arranged to communicate data to and/or from afirst of the plurality of the data center units over a free spaceoptical control and/or data communication link. A nodal point 150 ininternal network 220 may correspond to the network access controller 260arranged to interface data center 200 to an external data network. Likeinternal network controller 210, network access controller 260 mayinclude one or more optical elements (e.g., a reflecting mirror, asteerable telescope, a hemispherical lens, an optical-optical switch, anopto-electronic switch, electronic switch an optical beam generator, anoptical signal modulator, an optical frequency convertor, an electric-tooptical convertor, an optical-to-electric convertor, an electro-opticalbeam steering element, an acoustic-optical beam steering element, adiffractive beam steering element, and/or a mechanically steerableoptical element).

With further reference to FIG. 5, data center 200 may optionally includea cooling arrangement 252 coupled to one or more of the plurality ofDCUs disposed in the region. Cooling arrangement 252 may, for example,be based on a spray, blown air/gas, and/or a LN2 coolant. Data center200 also may optionally include an optical power receiver, a wired powerreceiver, a wireless power receiver and/or a microwave power receiver.

FIG. 6 shows another exemplary data center 600. Data center 600 mayinclude a plurality of data center units (DCUs) 610 disposed in datacenter region. Each DCU 610 may be configured to run a part or all of adata processing application. A DCU 610 may be one of an electronicmodule, box, server, cards, board, and/or rack or a free standingassembly thereof. The plurality of DCUs 610 may include one or moreoptical interface units (e.g., OIU 120). The optical interface units,like OIU 120, may include at least one of an optical beam generator, abeam-forming circuitry, an optical signal receiver, and anoptical-to-electrical signal converter. At least one of the DCUs may bea mobile DCU 612 movable between a first location A and a secondlocation B in the data center region. A DCU 610/612 may include acooling unit.

Data center 600 further includes a reconfigurable internal network 620of one or more free space optical communication links inter-linking ofone or more of the plurality of DCUs, and an internal network controller630 configured to control inter-linking of one or more of the pluralityof DCUs 610 including mobile DCU 612 at its first and second locationsto the reconfigurable internal network 620. Mobile DCU 612 may include apower and/or utility receiver (e.g., a wireless power receiver 114and/or a microwave power receiver), which is configured to be coupledto, for example, a power supply at the first location.

A nodal point in reconfigurable internal network 620 may correspond tothe optical interface unit of a first of the plurality of DCUs. A nodalpoint in reconfigurable internal network may be external to theplurality of data center units. A further nodal point may correspond toa network access controller (e.g., controller 260) arranged to interfacethe data center to an external data network. Each nodal point inreconfigurable internal network 620 may include one or more opticalelements that are configurable to establish the one or more free spaceoptical communication links. The optical elements may include one ormore of a reflecting mirror, a steerable telescope, a hemisphericallens, an optical router, an electro-optical beam steering element,and/or a mechanically steerable optical element.

The links in reconfigurable internal network 620 may include free spaceoptical communication links that are preset and/or dynamic linksestablishable during operation of the data center. Further, links mayinclude nodal point-to-nodal point and/or a nodal point-to-multinodalpoint free space optical communication links. The links may be arrangedaccording to a specified hierarchy (e.g., first links between a first ofthe plurality of data center units and its nearest or proximateneighbors).

Internal network controller 630, which can control inter-linking of oneor more of the plurality of DCUs 610, may be configured to opticallyand/or wirelessly control inter-linking of one or more of the pluralityof DCUs 610 including mobile DCU 612 at its first and/or secondlocations to the reconfigurable internal network of free space opticalcommunication links. Like network controller 210 in data center 200,internal network controller 630 in data center 600 may include or moreoptical elements (e.g., a reflecting mirror, a steerable telescopeand/or a hemispherical lens, an electro-optical beam steering elementand/or a mechanically steerable optical element, an optical beamgenerator, a beam-forming circuitry, an optical signal receiver, and/oran optical-to-electrical signal converter. Internal network controller630 may be configured to reposition mobile DCU 612 from the first to thesecond location in the region in response to a data center applicationdemand and/or an external process value or command. Internal networkcontroller 630 may establish a dynamic link to the mobile DCU duringdata center operations using a search or scanning process.

Data center 600 may further include a router (e.g., router 240)configured to route data between the data center units over the one ormore free space optical communication links of internal network. Therouter may include at least one of a passive router, an active router, amirror assembly, a holographic reflector, an optical switch and/or areceiver/transmitter with electronic switching. Like router 240, therouter in data center 600 may be configured to use logical addressingfor routing data between the data center units. The router may, forexample, route data to one or more mailboxes in lieu of a physicaladdress and map data to and/or from the one or more mailboxes to arespective one or more of the plurality of DCUs 610/612. The mailboxes,which may correspond or be assigned to one or more different data centerapplications and/or data center units, may be dynamically assignedduring data center operations.

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary data center unit (DCU) 710, which isconfigured to be connected to other devices via a network of one or morefree space optical communication links. DCU 710 may include one or moredata processing units (DPUs) 712 that are configured to run a part orall of a data processing application, and a light beam modulator 720coupled to one or more DPUs 712.

DPU 712 may include one or more data processing circuits (e.g.,electronic modules, boxes, servers, cards, boards, and/or racks or freestanding assemblies thereof). Modulator 720 may be configured tomodulate a raw light beam received from a source internal or external toDCU 710, and to transmit a modulated light beam over a free spaceoptical communication link. Modulator 720 may be configured to modulateone or more of an amplitude, a pulse format, a phase, a frequency and/orpolarization of the raw light beam. Further, DPU 712 may include ademodulator configured to remove modulation from a modulated light beam.

DCU 710 may include an optical interface unit (e.g., OIU 120) configuredto connect or disconnect DCU 710 to or from the network under free spaceoptical signal control. The optical interface unit, like OIU 120, mayinclude opto-mechanical and/or opto-electric transducers responsive tooptical signal control to connect or disconnect the data processing unitto or from the network, a light beam transmitter, pass-through device,and/or a receiver, an optical beam generator, a beam-forming circuitry,an optical signal receiver/detector, and/or an optical-to-electricalsignal converter. Modulator 720 may be internal or external to opticalinterface unit.

DCU 710 may further include control circuitry configured to superviseoperations of the optical interface unit, DPUs 712, modulator 720,and/or additional data center unit components. The additional datacenter unit components may, for example, include a cooling unit, awireless, microwave, and/or optical power receiver, a power storageunit, and/or mobility elements configured to move the data center unitfrom a first position to a second position in a data center.

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary data center 800 deploying DCU 710. Data center800 may also deploy other types of DCUs (e.g., DCU 110, DCU 610, DCU612, etc.). Each DCU may include one or more of electronic modules,boxes, servers, cards, boards, and/or racks or free standing assembliesthereof. Each DCU may be configured to run a part or all of a dataprocessing application.

Data center 800 may include at least a modulator (e.g., modulator 720)co-disposed with one of the DCUs in the data center. The modulator maybe configured to modulate a raw light beam and transmit a modulatedlight beam over the one or more free space optical communication links.The modulator may be configured to modulate one or more of an amplitude,a pulse, a format, a phase, a frequency and/or polarization of the rawlight beam. Further, data center 800 may include a demodulatorconfigured to remove modulation from a modulated light beam.

Data center 800 may further include a light beam source disposedexternal to the first of the plurality of data center units andconfigured to provide the raw light beam to the modulator. The lightbeam source may be internal or external to a data center region. Thelight beam source may, for example, be off-board laser-device. Theoutput of the light beam source may be piped in to the data centerregion or to modulator 720 over free space and/or via an optical fiber.In a version of data center 800, the light beam source may include aplurality of light beam generators, which may generate light ofdifferent wavelengths.

Like data centers 200 and 600, data center 800 may include an internalnetwork (e.g., internal network 220, 620) of one or more free spaceoptical communication links (e.g., links 140) to at least a first of theplurality of data center units, a network controller (e.g., networkcontroller 210, 630) configured to connect or disconnect the pluralityof data center units from the internal network, and an accessinterface/controller (e.g., access interface 240/controller 260)coupling the data center to an external network.

Further, like in data centers 200 and 600, each nodal point in theinternal network in data center 800 may include one or more opticalelements that are configurable to establish the one or more free spaceoptical communication links (e.g., a reflecting mirror, a steerabletelescope, a hemispherical lens, an optical router, an electro-opticalbeam steering element, and/or a mechanically steerable optical element).

FIG. 9 shows another exemplary data center 900 deploying one more DCUs910 configured to broadcast optical control and/or data signals in theregion over an internal network 920 of one or more optical communicationlinks. Data center 900 may include various types of DCUs (e.g., DCU 110,DCU 610, DCU 612, DCU 710, etc.). Each DCU may include one or more ofelectronic modules, boxes, servers, cards, boards, and/or racks or freestanding assemblies thereof. Each DCU may be configured to run a part orall of a data processing application. At least a first of the pluralityof DCUs may include an optical interface unit (OIU) configured toconnect the first DCU to the internal network in response to a freespace optical control signal. Internal network 920 in data center 900,like networks 220 and 620, may include free space optical communicationlinks (e.g., links 140) between one or more nodes associated individualDCUs and/or one or more nodes interposed between the DCUs. Internalnetwork 920 may further include fiber optic links 940 between one ormore nodes.

DCU 910 may include a broadcasting transmitter 930. Broadcastingtransmitter 930 may be configured to broadcast a multiplicity of opticalcontrol and/or data signals simultaneously and/or sequentially to aplurality of receivers (e.g., OIU 120) in data center 900. A receivermay be configured to listen to broadcasts from a single transmitter orto multiple transmitters. In any case, a receiver may be configured toidentify which of the multiplicity of optical control and/or datasignals (messages) are intended for it (the receiver). Conversely,broadcasting transmitter 930 may include receiver-identifying indicia inits broadcasted messages. The receiver-identifying indicia included inthe broadcasted signals may, for example, include message headers,signal wavelength, signal polarization, transmit time slots, and/or anycombination thereof. A receiver may be configured to identify which ofthe multiplicity of optical control and/or data signals (messages) areintended for it by recognizing the receiver-identifying indicia includedin or associated with the broadcasted signals.

In a version of data center 900, DCU 910/broadcasting transmitter 930may be configured to broadcast a free space optical control/and or datasignal over the internal network at different wavelengths and/orpolarizations. An intended recipient may be designated by a respectivewavelength and/or polarization. A receiving DCU may be configured torecognize that it is the intended recipient of a free space opticalcontrol/and or data signal broadcast over the internal network byrecognizing its respective wavelength signal and/or polarization.

Additionally or alternatively, DCU 910/broadcasting transmitter 930 maybe configured to broadcast a free space optical control/and or datasignal over the internal network at different at different transmit timeslots. An intended recipient may be designated by a respective transmittime slot. A receiving DCU may be configured to recognize that it is theintended recipient of a free space optical control/and or data signalbroadcast over the internal network by recognizing its respectivetransmit time slot.

Additionally or alternatively, DCU 910/broadcasting transmitter 930 maybe configured to broadcast free space optical control/and or datasignals over the internal network with different headers. An intendedrecipient may be designated by a respective header. A receiving DCU maybe configured to recognize that it is the intended recipient of a freespace optical control/and or data signal broadcast over the internalnetwork by recognizing its respective header.

In a further version of data center 900, one or more DCUs may beassociated with respective identifying-wavelengths, and eachtransmitting or sending DCU (e.g., DCU 910) may be configured tobroadcast optical control and/or data signals at its respectiveidentifying-wavelength over internal network 920. Conversely, areceiving DCU interfaced with the internal network may be configured toidentify a sending DCU by the identifying-wavelength of the opticalcontrol and/or data signals broadcast by the sending DCU. Alternativelyor additionally, one or more DCUs may be associated with respectivesignal polarization, and each transmitting or sending DCU may beconfigured to broadcast optical control and/or data signals at itsrespective signal polarization. Conversely, a receiving DCU interfacedwith the internal network may be configured to identify a sending DCU bythe polarity of its broadcasted optical control and/or data signals.

One or more DCUs in data center 900 (e.g., DCU 910) may be configured tobroadcast optical control and/or data signals over at least a colorregion (˜1% wide frequency region). The color region may be a colorregion at about 1.44, 1.47, or 1.55 microns wavelength. In an exemplaryimplementation of data center 900, a multiplicity of the DCUs may beconfigured to broadcast optical control and/or data signals over of twoor more color regions. In an additional or alternate implementation, afirst of the plurality of DCUs may be configured to broadcast a freespace optical control/and or data signal in which an intended recipientmay, for example, be designated by a respective transmit time slot inthe signal. Conversely, a receiving DCU may be configured to recognizethat it is the intended recipient of the broadcasted signal byrecognizing its respective transmit time slot in the signal.

In a further exemplary implementation of data center 900, a multiplicityof the DCUs may be associated with a respective combination ofidentifying-wavelengths and time slots, and the multiplicity of the datacenter units may be configured to broadcast optical control and/or datasignals with their respective combination of identifying-wavelengths andtime slots. Conversely, a receiving DCU may be configured to identify asending DCU by recognizing the sending DCU's respective combination ofthe identifying-wavelengths and time slots.

In yet another exemplary implementation of data center 900, amultiplicity of the data center units may be associated with respectiveidentifying-wavelengths, and the multiplicity of the data center unitsmay configured to simultaneously broadcast optical control and/or datasignals at their respective identifying-wavelengths over the internalnetwork. A receiving DCU may include a suitable detector 950 configuredto wavelength-demultiplex a received optical control and/or data signal.Detector 950 may, for example, include an array of photodiodes operatingat different wavelengths and an optional buffer to buffer thewavelength-demultiplexed signal.

FIG. 10 shows another exemplary data center unit (DCU) 1010, which maybe deployed, for example, in the data centers 200, 600, 800 and 900described hereto or in any other data center. DCU 1010, like DCUs 110,610 and 710, may include one or more data processing units (e.g., dataprocessing units 712, electronic modules, boxes, servers, cards, boards,and/or racks or free standing assemblies thereof) that are configured torun a part or all of a data processing application. DCU 1010 may alsoinclude an optical interface unit (e.g., OIU 120) configured to connectthe DCU to a network of optical communication links including theplurality of optical communication links extending from and leading tothe DCU.

DCU 1010 further includes a transmitter 1030 and/or a receiver 1032coupled to the one or more data processing units. Transmitter 1030 andreceiver 1032 may have a transmitting position and a receiving position,respectively.

Transmitter 1030 in its transmitting position may be configured tobroadcast optical control and/or data signals over a plurality ofoptical communication links extending from the DCU in its transmittingposition. The broadcasted optical control and/or data signals may beover one or more color regions. A color region (e.g., ˜1% wide frequencyregion) may, for example, be a color region at about 1.44, 1.47, or 1.55microns wavelength.

Transmitter 1030 in its transmitting position may be configured tobroadcast configured to broadcast a multiplicity of optical controland/or data signals simultaneously and/or sequentially to a plurality ofreceivers. DCU 1010/transmitter 1030 may be associated withDCU/transmitter-identifying indicia that may be included in itsbroadcasted messages. The DCU/transmitter-identifying indicia includedin or associated with the broadcasted signals may, for example, includemessage headers, signal wavelength, signal polarization, transmit timeslots, angle of transmission, and/or any combination thereof.

For example, DCU 1010 may be associated with an identifying-wavelength,and transmitter 1030 in its transmitting position may be configured tobroadcast optical control and/or data signals at the DCU'sidentifying-wavelength. Alternatively or additionally, DCU 1010 may beassociated with a signal polarity, and transmitter 1030 in itstransmitting position may be configured to broadcast optical controland/or data signals at the DCU's identifying-signal polarity. In case,DCU 1010 is associated with a combination of identifying-wavelengths andtime slots, transmitter 1030 in its transmitting position may beconfigured to broadcast optical control and/or data signals with thedata center unit's combination of identifying-wavelengths and timeslots.

Receiver 1032 in its receiving position may be configured to receivemultiple optical control and/or data signals over one or more free spaceoptical communication links leading to the DCU. Receiver 1032 mayfurther be configured to identify a sending DCU by recognizing theDCU/transmitter-identifying indicia included or associated with thereceived signals. For example, receiver 1032 may be configured toidentify a sending DCU by recognizing an identifying-wavelength of theoptical control and/or data signals broadcast by the sending DCU.Receiver 1032 may be additionally or alternatively configured toidentify a sending DCU by recognizing other sending-DCU identifyingindicia (e.g., identifying-polarization, identifying-transmit timeslots, angular direction) of the optical control and/or data signalstransmitted by the sending DCU. In case, DCU 1010 or other sending DCUsare associated with a combination of identifying-wavelengths and timeslots, receiver 1032 in its receiving position may be configured torecognize a sending DCU by recognizing the combination of theidentifying-wavelengths and time slots associated with the sending DCU.Further, an exemplary receiver 1032 may be configured to recognize asending DCU by recognizing an angular direction of a received signal.Receiver 1032 may include an imaging device for this purpose.

In a version of DCU 1010, receiver 1032 also may be additionally oralternatively configured to recognize that it is an intended recipientof a free space optical control/and or data signal by recognizingreceiver-identifying indicia (e.g., its respective transmit time slot)in the signal. Transmitter 1030 in its transmitting position may beconfigured to broadcast optical control and/or data signals so thatintended recipient/receiver 1032 is designated by a respective transmittime slot in the signal.

Receiver 1032 in its receiving position may be configured towavelength-demultiplex received optical control and/or data signalsusing, for example, an array of photodiodes operating at differentwavelengths. Receiver 1032 may include a buffer configured to hold orbuffer the wavelength-demultiplexed signal.

FIG. 11 shows yet another exemplary data center unit (DCU) 1110, whichmay be deployed, for example, in a data center having a networksupporting multi-wavelength and/or multi-polarization opticalcommunications or other suitable data centers (e.g., data centers 200,600, 800 and 900). DCU 1110, like DCUs 110, 610, 710, and 1010, mayinclude one or more data processing units (e.g., data processing units712, data processing circuits, electronic modules, boxes, servers,cards, boards, and/or racks or free standing assemblies thereof) thatare configured to run a part or all of a data processing application.DCU 1110 may also include an optical interface unit (OIU) 1120configured to connect the DCU to a network of optical communicationlinks including the plurality of optical communication links extendingfrom and leading to the DCU. OIU 1120 may be configured to connect DCU1110 to a network supporting multi-wavelength and/or multi-polarizationoptical communications.

OIU 1120, like OIU 120 may include opto-mechanical, opto-acoustic,and/or opto-electric transducers responsive to optical signal control toconnect or disconnect the data processing unit to or from the network, alight beam transmitter, pass-through device, and/or a receiver, anoptical beam generator, a beam-forming circuitry, an optical signalreceiver/detector, and/or an optical-to-electrical signal converter.Modulator 720 may be internal or external to OIU 1120. The opticalelements of OIU 1120 may be configured for multi-wavelength and/ormulti-polarization optical communications by DCU 1110 over the network.OIU 1120 may have a responsive interface to a network controller, whichis configured to establish a dynamic link during data center operations,for example, using a search or scanning process.

A combination of DCU 1110 and a specific data processing applicationrunning on DCU 1110 may be assigned a designated wavelength or discreteset of wavelengths for mutual data communications over the network. Thedesignated wavelength or wavelengths may be assigned dynamically. Adiscrete set of one or more wavelengths may be assigned for datatransmissions by DCU 1110. The same or other discrete set of one or morewavelengths may be assigned for receipt of data by DCU 1110.

FIG. 12 shows another exemplary data center 1200 deploying one or moreDCUs and/or one or more DCUs 1010 and/or DCUs 1110. Data center 1200 mayalso deploy other types of data center units (e.g., DCUs 110, 610, and710). Each DCU may include one or more of electronic modules, boxes,servers, cards, boards, and/or racks or freestanding assemblies thereof.Each DCU may be configured to run a part or all of a data processingapplication. A DCU (e.g., DCU 1010) in data center 1200 may include anoptical receiver configured to receive multiple optical control and/ordata signals over one or more free space optical communication linksleading to the DCU. The optical receiver (e.g., receiver 1032) in itsreceiving position may receive the multiple optical control and/or datasignals over a corresponding multiplicity of free space opticalcommunication links leading to the at least one DCU simultaneouslyand/or sequentially. The optical receiver may be configured to receiveoptical control and/or data signals over at least a color region (˜1%wide frequency region). Exemplary color regions may be regions at about1.44, 1.47, and 1.55 microns wavelengths. In an implementation of datacenter 1200, the optical receiver in its receiving position may beconfigured to receive optical control and/or data signals over of two ormore color regions.

The various DCUs in data center 1200 may be linked by an internalcommunications network 1220, which includes one or more free spaceoptical communication links leading to at least one DCU. At least afirst of the plurality of DCUs may include an optical interface unit(OIU) configured to connect the first DCU to an internal network 1220 inresponse to a free space optical control signal. Internal network 1220in data center 1200, like networks 220 and 620, may include free spaceoptical communication links (e.g., links 140) between one or more nodesassociated individual DCUs and/or one or more nodes interposed betweenthe DCUs. Internal network 1220 may further include fiber optic links940 between one or more nodes. Data center 1200 may include a networkcontroller configured to supervise connecting and/or disconnectingindividual DCUs from internal network 1220 (e.g., by acting on the OIUvia interface 1140).

Internal network 1220 may be configured to support multi-wavelengthand/or multi-polarization optical communications over links 140/940.

Internal network 1220 may be arranged to include one or more virtuallocal area networks (LANs) linking respective groups DCUs. The one ormore virtual LANs may be assigned respective wavelengths for opticalsignal transmission. Likewise, a specific data processing applicationand the DCUs running the specific data processing application may beassigned a designated wavelength for mutual data communications overinternal network 1220. The wavelength assignments may be preset ordynamic. A specific DCU may be assigned discrete set of wavelengths fordata transmission and/or data receiving over internal network 1220.

Further, internal network 1220 may be arranged in a hierarchy ofnetworks. An hierarchy of diverse networks may, for example, be based onwavelengths and/or spatial diversity. Internal network 1220 may, forexample, include a first network, which is optically isolated from asecond network. For this purpose, data center 1200/internal network 1220may include receivers that are range and/or direction limited andconfigured to optically isolate the first network from the secondnetwork. The isolated first and second networks may, for example,include an optically isolated wavelength-addressed n×n network, awavelength-addressed 32×32 network.

One or more DCUs in data center 1200 may be associated with respectiveidentifying-wavelengths and/or signal polarities, and the DCUs may beconfigured to broadcast optical control and/or data signals at theirrespective identifying-wavelengths and/or signal polarities. Conversely,a DCU's optical receiver may be configured to identify a sending DCU bythe identifying-wavelength and/or signal polarity of the optical controland/or data signals broadcast by the sending DCU.

Further, one or more DCUs in data center 1200 may be configured tobroadcast free space optical control/and or data signals. A DCU may beconfigured to broadcast a free space optical control/and or data signalin which an intended recipient is designated by a respective transmittime slot in the signal. Conversely, a DCU's optical receiver may beconfigured to recognize that it is the intended recipient of the freespace optical control/and or data signal broadcast by recognizing itsrespective transmit time slot in the signal. Further, a multiplicity ofDCUs may be associated with a respective combination ofidentifying-wavelengths and/or time slots, and configured to broadcastoptical control and/or data signals with their respective combination ofidentifying-wavelengths and time slots. Conversely, a DCU's opticalreceiver may be configured to identify a sending DCU by recognizing thesending DCU's respective combination of the identifying-wavelengthsand/or time slots.

The multiplicity of DCUs associated with respectiveidentifying-wavelengths may be configured to simultaneously broadcastoptical control and/or data signals at the DCUs respectiveidentifying-wavelengths over an internal network of one or more freespace optical communication links. Conversely, a DCU's optical receivermay be configured to wavelength-demultiplex and optionally buffer areceived optical control and/or data signal. For this purpose, the DCU'soptical receiver may include suitable demultiplexing circuitry, (e.g.,an array of photodiodes operating at different wavelengths) and a bufferfor the wavelength-demultiplexed signals. A communication link orchannel between a specific pair of DCUs may be assigned a discrete setof wavelengths for transmitting and/or receiving control and/or datasignals over the internal network.

In a version of data center 1200, a plurality of M broadcastingtransmitters (e.g., transmitters 1030) and a plurality of N opticalreceivers (e.g., receivers 1032) may be associated with the plurality ofDCUs in the data center. Each of the M broadcasting transmitters may beconfigured to broadcast optical control and/or data signalssimultaneously and/or sequentially to plurality of N optical receivers.Each of the M broadcasting transmitters may be configured to broadcastoptical control and/or data signals to the each of the N opticalreceivers over an internal network of separate free space opticalcommunication links that form M×N distinct communication channelsbetween pairs of the M broadcasting transmitters and the N opticalreceivers in the region. Each of the M×N distinct communication channelsmay be assigned distinct channel-identifying indicia (e.g., signalwavelength and/or polarization, transmit time slots, headers, and/or anycombination thereof, etc.). The transmitter and receiver pair associatedwith the channel may be respectively configured to transmit and receiveoptical control and/or data signals having the channel-identifyingindicia (e.g. signal wavelength and/or polarization, transmit timeslots, headers, and/or any combination thereof, etc.).

FIG. 13 shows another exemplary data center 1300 deploying one or moreDCUs (e.g., DCUs 110, 610, 710, 1010 and 1110, or other DCUs), which arelinked by an internal network 1320 of optical communication links.Internal communication network 1320 may include one or more central hubs(1322, 1324) and/or sub-hubs (1326).

Each DCU may be configured to run a part or all of a data processingapplication. The DCUs may be arranged in sets, e.g., a first set (Set 1)and a second set (Set 2). The two sets of DCUs may be communicativelycoupled by one or more free space optical communication links 140 to afirst hub 1322 and a second hub 1324, respectively, in internalcommunication network 1320. A selection of the sets of DCUs linked tothe first and/or second network hubs may be dynamic. The first andsecond hubs themselves may be linked by a free space opticalcommunication link and/or by a fiber optic link 1340.

Internal communication network 1320 may further include an arrangementof links from a first sub hub 1326 to a selected grouping of DCUs. Theselection of the grouping of DCUs may be preset or dynamic. Internalcommunication network 1320 may, for example, further include links firstsub hub 1326 to hubs 1322 and/or 1324, a second sub-hub and/or otherDCU.

In general, the optical communication links in internal communicationnetwork 1320 may be arranged in a bus, star, ring and/or hybridtopology. The links may be preset or may be dynamically establishable.Internal communication network 1320 may be arranged so that at least twoof the optical communication links have equal lengths. Internal buffers1328 may be used to compensate for link path-length differences.

A hub or sub-hub may include N×N switches operable to interconnect theset of linked DCUs. A link connected to the hubs may have multipledistinct wavelength channels, and the hub itself may include alambda-router. A hub or sub-hub may, for example, include a hologram,which is configured to redirect one or more incident light beamsaccording to a predefined routing. The predefined routing may bedigitally written in the hologram, for example, during data centeroperations.

As in data centers 200 and 600, a network controller may be deployed toconnect and/or disconnect individual DCUs from internal communicationnetwork 1320 via free space communication links 140.

FIG. 14 shows an exemplary data center bottle 1410, which includes oneor more data processing units 1412 coupled to an optical, microwaveand/or wireless power receiver 1414. Each data processing units 1412 mayinclude one or more data processing circuits (e.g., electronic modules,boxes, servers, cards, boards, and/or racks or free standing assembliesthereof). Data processing units 1412 may be configured to run a part orall of a data processing application using optical, microwave and/orwireless power received by power receiver 1414.

An exemplary power receiver 1414 may be configured to receive opticalpower, for example, over an optical fiber or a free space link from apower transmitter/source 1468/1466. Such a power receiver 1414 mayinclude a suitable optical power-to-electricity converter (e.g., aphoto-diode, a silicon photo diode, an III-V photo-diode, and/or acompound semiconductor photo-diode) to convert received optical power toelectricity. The optical power-to-electricity converter may beconfigured to operate at suitable low temperatures (e.g., cryogenictemperatures).

Another exemplary power receiver 1414 may be configured to receivewireless power from a wireless power transmitter (e.g., transmitter1468). Such a power receiver 1414 may be suitably coupled to transmitter1468 to facilitate power transfer by an electrodynamic inductive effector by resonant inductive coupling.

Another exemplary power receiver 1414 may be configured to receivemicrowave power from transmitter 1468 (e.g., a phased array microwavetransmitter, or cavity magnetron). Such a power receiver 1414 mayinclude a suitable combination antenna and rectifier device to convertmicrowave power into electricity.

Data center bottle 1410 may be configured to be deployable in a datacenter that is connected to an external communications network and hasan internal communications network of one or more free space opticalcommunication links between nodal points (nodes) in the data center.Further, data center bottle 1410 may include an optical interface unit(e.g., OIU 120) configured to respond to optical control signals toconnect the bottle to the internal network so that the optical interfaceunit corresponds to a nodal point in the internal network and the datacenter bottle is arranged to communicate data processing applicationdata in data center operation over one or more free space opticalcommunication links. The optical interface unit, like OIU 120, may beconfigured to connect or disconnect the data center bottle to or fromthe internal network under free space optical signal control. Further,the optical interface unit, like OIU 120, may include one or more ofopto-mechanical and/or opto-electric transducers responsive to opticalsignal control to connect or disconnect the data center bottle to orfrom the internal network, a light beam transmitter, pass-throughdevice, and/or a receiver, an optical beam generator, a beam-formingcircuitry, an optical signal receiver/detector, and/or anoptical-to-electrical signal converter. The optical interface unit maybe responsive to a locating beacon (e.g., at a nodal point 150) toconnect or disconnect the bottle to or from the internal network of oneor more free space optical communication links.

DCU 1410 may further include suitable control circuitry configured tosupervise operations of the optical interface unit and/or additionaldata processing unit components including, for example, an location oridentification beacon, a cooling unit, a wireless and/or optical powerreceiver, a power storage unit, and mobility elements configured to movethe data center unit from a first position to a second position in thedata center.

FIG. 15 shows another exemplary data center 1500 deploying one or moredata center bottles 1410. Data center 1500 may also deploy other typesof data center units (e.g., DCUs 110, 610, 710 and 1110). Each DCU mayinclude one or more of electronic modules, boxes, servers, cards,boards, and/or racks or freestanding assemblies thereof. Each DCU may beconfigured to run a part or all of a data processing application. Datacenter 1500 may further include a power distribution system 1530configured to distribute optical, microwave and/or wireless power to theplurality of data center units disposed in the region. One or more ofthe DCUs may be configured to run its part or all of the data processingapplication using optical, microwave and/or wireless power received viathe power distribution system.

Power distribution system 1530 may include an optical, microwave and/orwireless power source 1466. Further, power distribution system 1530 mayinclude one or more suitable optical, microwave and/or wireless powertransmitters 1468 connected to power source 1466, and one or moresuitable power receivers 1414 disposed in data center 1500. A powerreceiver 1414 disposed in data center 1500 may receive power over anoptical fiber connection and/or over a free space coupling of the powerreceiver with a power transmitter 1468. Power receivers 1414 may includean optical-to-electric power converter (e.g., a photo-diode, a siliconphoto diode, a III-V photo-diode, and/or a compound semiconductorphoto-diode). The optical-to-electric power converter may operate atcryogenic temperatures.

Power receivers 1414 may be co-disposed with the DCUs in the region(e.g., as in DCU 1410) or disposed at convenient locations in datacenter 1500 external to a DCU. A power cable 1555 may supply electricalpower to a DCU from an external power receiver 1414. In general,distribution system 1530 may include one or more optical free spacelinks and/or fiber optic links configured for off-board communicationsto and from the plurality of DCUs in data center 1500 and/or todistribute optical power to the DCUs.

Data center 1500 may also include a cooling arrangement 1550 coupled toone or more of the DCUs disposed in data center 1500. Coolingarrangement 1550 may be based on a spray, blown air/gas, and/or a LN2coolant.

The DCUs disposed in data center 1500 may be electrically disjoint atleast for purposes of data communications. Data center 1500 may includean internal network 1520 of optical data communication links betweennodal points/DCUs across the data center. The optical data communicationlinks may include free space and/or fiber optic links. Such an internalnetwork 1520 of optical data communication links may include tunableand/or fixed-type add-drops, skip-routed rings and/or quartile rings.Further, internal network 1520 may be configured to provideexpander-graph type redundant interconnectivity between the DCUsincluding, for example, redundant meshes operating at a number ofdiscrete wavelengths.

FIG. 16 shows another exemplary data center 1600. Data center 1600 mayinclude a one or more bottles 1610 each of which may have one or moredata processing units (DPUs) 1612 (e.g., electronic modules, boxes,servers, cards, boards, and/or racks or free standing assembliesthereof). Each DPU may be configured to run a part or all of a dataprocessing application. Data center 1600 may also deploy other types ofdata center units (e.g., DCUs 110, 610, 710, 1110, and 1410).

At least one bottle 1610 may have an optical interface unit (OIU) 1640.OIU 1640, like OIU 120, may be configured to connect or disconnect thebottle (e.g., in response to optical control signals) to or from aninter-bottle network 1620 of one or more free space opticalcommunication links between the plurality of bottles or DCUs in the datacenter. The links may be preset or dynamically established during datacenter operation. The links may include one or more unipolar, bipolar,multi-polar, and/or pass-through optical links between the plurality ofbottles. Data center 1600 may include a light-absorbing gas or fluidarranged to dampen light propagation beyond a connection point or nodein inter-bottle network 1620.

OIU 1640 may include suitable mechanically and/or electrically steerableoptical elements configured to steer a light beam in a select direction.An inter-bottle network controller (e.g. network controller 630) coupledto OIU 1640 to supervise its operations to connect or disconnect thebottle to inter-bottle network 1620. Data center 1600 may include abeacon assembly or other location-indicating device configured to locatea connection point for OIU 1640. OIU 1640 may be configured to beresponsive to the locating beacon to connect to connect the bottle tointer-bottle network 1620 of one or more free space opticalcommunication links.

Conversely, one or more data processing units (DPUs) 1612 in a bottle1610 may be communicatively linked by an intra-bottle network 1622,which is optically decoupled from the inter-bottle network 1620.Intra-bottle network 1622 may include any suitable links between DPUs1612 in the bottle. The links may, for example, include, hardwiredelectrical, RF, microwave, fiber optic and/or free space optical links.In the case of fiber optic and/or free space optical links, inter-bottlenetwork 1620 and intra-bottle network 1622 may be configured to usedifferent wavelengths for communication.

Inter-bottle network 1620, like internal network 1220, may be configuredto support multi-wavelength and/or multi-polarization opticalcommunications over free space optical communication links. Inter-bottlenetwork 1620 may be arranged to include one or more virtual local areanetworks (LANs) linking respective groups DCUs. The one or more virtualLANs may be assigned respective wavelengths for optical signaltransmission. Likewise, a specific data processing application and theDCUs running the specific data processing application may be assigned adesignated wavelength for mutual data communications over internalnetwork 1620. The wavelength assignments may be preset or dynamic. Aspecific DCU may be assigned discrete set of wavelengths for datatransmission and/or data receiving over internal network 1620.

Further, inter-bottle network 1620, like internal network 1220, may bearranged in a hierarchy of networks. A hierarchy of diverse networksmay, for example, be based on wavelengths and/or spatial diversity.Inter-bottle network 1620 may, for example, include a first network,which is optically isolated from a second network. For this purpose,data center 1600/inter-bottle network 1620 may include receivers thatare range and/or direction limited and configured to optically isolatethe first network from the second network. The isolated first and secondnetworks may, for example, include an optically isolatedwavelength-addressed n×n network, and/or a wavelength-addressed 32×32network.

One or more DCUs in data center 1600 may be associated with respectiveidentifying-wavelengths and/or signal polarities, and the DCUs may beconfigured to broadcast optical control and/or data signals at theirrespective identifying-wavelengths and/or signal polarities. Conversely,a DCU's optical receiver may be configured to identify a sending DCU bythe identifying-wavelength and/or signal polarity of the optical controland/or data signals broadcast by the sending DCU.

Further, one or more DCUs in data center 1600 may be configured tobroadcast free space optical control/and or data signals. A DCU may beconfigured to broadcast a free space optical control/and or data signalin which an intended recipient is designated by a respective transmittime slot in the signal. Conversely, a DCU's optical receiver may beconfigured to recognize that it is the intended recipient of the freespace optical control/and or data signal broadcast by recognizing itsrespective transmit time slot in the signal. Further, a multiplicity ofDCUs may be associated with a respective combination ofidentifying-wavelengths and/or time slots, and configured to broadcastoptical control and/or data signals with their respective combination ofidentifying-wavelengths and time slots. Conversely, a DCU's opticalreceiver may be configured to identify a sending DCU by recognizing thesending DCU's respective combination of the identifying-wavelengthsand/or time slots.

The multiplicity of DCUs associated with respectiveidentifying-wavelengths, may be configured to simultaneously broadcastoptical control and/or data signals at the DCUs respectiveidentifying-wavelengths over one or more free space opticalcommunication links. Conversely, a DCU's optical receiver may beconfigured to wavelength-demultiplex and optionally buffer a receivedoptical control and/or data signal. For this purpose, the DCU's opticalreceiver may include suitable demultiplexing circuitry, (e.g., an arrayof photodiodes operating at different wavelengths) and a buffer for thewavelength-demultiplexed signals.

FIG. 17 shows exemplary data center bottles 1710 and 1710′. Data centerbottles 1710 and 1710′ each include one or more data processing units1712 that are configured to run a part or all of a data processingapplication. Each data processing unit 1712 may include one or more dataprocessing circuits (e.g., electronic modules, boxes, servers, cards,boards, and/or racks or free standing assemblies thereof).

Further, data center bottles 1710 and 1710′ include optical interfaceunits (OIU) 1720 and 1720′, respectively. Each of the OIUs is coupled toone or more DPUs 1712 in the respective bottles. OIUs 1720 and 1720′,like OIU 120, may include suitable optical elements (e.g.,opto-mechanical, opto-acoustic and/or opto-electric transducersresponsive to optical signal control, a light beam transmitter,pass-through device, and/or a receiver, an optical beam generator, abeam-forming circuitry, an optical signal receiver/detector, and/or anoptical-to-electrical signal converter, a reflecting mirror, and/or ahemispherical lens) to connect or disconnect the data center bottle toor from a network of optical communication links, for example, underfree space optical signal control. OIUs 1720 and 1720′ may be configuredto be responsive to a beacon assembly or other location-indicatingdevice configured to locate a connection point to connect the bottle toan network of one or more free space optical communication links.

An exemplary OIU 1720 includes one or more independently steerable lighttransmitting elements 1722, independently steerable light redirectingelements 1724, and/or independently steerable light receiving elements1726 for transmitting, redirecting, and/or receiving communications overfree space optical communication links. The independently steerableelements may, for example, be mechanically, or electro-mechanicallysteerable elements.

An exemplary OIU 1720′ may, additionally or alternatively, include oneor more electrooptically steerable elements for transmitting,redirecting, and/or receiving communications over the free space opticalcommunication links. The electro optically steerable elements mayinclude non-mechanical beam steering devices (e.g.; electro-optic effectdevices, liquid crystal devices, variable blaze approach devices,multiplexed volume holography devices, birefringent prisms devices,circularly polarized liquid crystal birefringent polarization gratings,etc.). The exemplary electro optically steerable elements may includedevices of the type that are described, for example, in McManamon etal., Review of Phased Array Steering for Narrow-Band ElectroopticalSystems, Proceedings of the IEEE, Vol. 97, No. 6, June 2009, pp.1079-1096.

Data center bottles 1710 and 1710′ may be configured to be deployed in adata center having an internal network of one or more free space opticalcommunication links between a plurality of nodal points distributedacross the data center. Data center bottles 1710 and/or 1710′ mayinclude beacons configured to indicate locations of the bottles. Datacenter bottles 1710 and/or 1710′ may further include suitable controlcircuitry configured to supervise operations of OIU 1720 and OIU 1720′,respectively, and/or to supervise operations additional data processingunit components (e.g., a cooling unit, a wireless, microwave and/oroptical power receiver, a power storage unit, mobility elementsconfigured to move the data center bottle from a first position to asecond position in the data center).

FIG. 18 shows another exemplary data center 1800. Data center 1800 mayinclude one or more bottles 1710 and/or 1710′ having respective opticalinterface units (e.g., OIU 1720 or 1720′). OIU 1720 may include one ormore independently steerable light transmitting elements, independentlysteerable light redirecting elements, independently steerable lightreceiving elements and/or for communications over the free space opticalcommunication links. OIU 1720′ may, additionally or alternatively,include one or more electrooptically steerable elements fortransmitting, redirecting, and/or receiving communications over the freespace optical communication links. Data center 1800 may also deployother types of data center units (e.g., DCUs 110, 610, 612, 710, 1110,and 1410).

Each DCU or bottle in data center 1800 may have one or more dataprocessing units (DPUs) or data processing circuits (e.g., electronicmodules, boxes, servers, cards, boards, and/or racks or free standingassemblies thereof). Each DPU may be configured to run a part or all ofa data processing application. One or more DCUs in data center 1800 mayhave a wireless and/or optical power receiver, and/or a cooling unit.Like in data center 800, one or more DCUs in data center 1800 may have amodulator co-disposed with a DCU. The modulator (e.g., modulator 720)may be configured to modulate a raw light beam and transmit a modulatedlight beam over one or more free space optical communication links. Datacenter 1800 may include a light beam source (e.g., source 730) disposedexternal to the DCU and configured to provide the raw light beam to themodulator. The plurality of DCUs in data center 1800 may be electricallydisjoint and in communication only optically (or wirelessly).

At least one bottle in data center 1800 has an optical interface unit(e.g., OIU 1720, OIU 1720′), which like OIU 120, may be configured toconnect or disconnect the bottle (e.g., in response to optical controlsignals) to or from an inter-bottle network 1820 of one or more freespace optical communication links between the plurality of bottles orDCUs in the data center. The links may be preset or dynamicallyestablished during data center operation. The links may include one ormore unipolar, bipolar, multi-polar, and/or pass-through optical linksbetween the plurality of bottles. Data center 1800 may include alight-absorbing gas or fluid arranged to dampen light propagation beyonda connection point or node in inter-bottle network 1820.

The optical interface unit (e.g., OIU 1720 and OIU 1720′) may includesuitable mechanically and/or electrically steerable optical elementsconfigured to steer a light beam in a select direction. An inter-bottlenetwork controller (e.g. network controller 630) may be coupled to theoptical interface unit to supervise its operations to connect ordisconnect the bottle to inter-bottle network 1820. Data center 1800 mayinclude a beacon assembly or other location-indicating device configuredto locate a connection point for the optical interface unit. The opticalinterface may be configured to be responsive to the locating beacon toconnect to connect the bottle to inter-bottle network 1820 of one ormore free space optical communication links.

Internal network 1820, like internal network 1220, may be configured tosupport multi-wavelength and/or multi-polarization opticalcommunications over free space optical communication links. Internalnetwork 1820 may be arranged to include one or more virtual local areanetworks (LANs) linking respective groups DCUs. The one or more virtualLANs may be assigned respective wavelengths for optical signaltransmission. Likewise, a specific data processing application and theDCUs running the specific data processing application may be assigned adesignated wavelength for mutual data communications over internalnetwork 1820. The wavelength assignments may be preset or dynamic. Aspecific DCU may be assigned discrete set of wavelengths for datatransmission and/or data receiving over internal network 1820.

The optical communication links 140 in internal network 1820 may bearranged in a bus, a star, a ring and/or a hybrid topology. Further,internal network 1820, like internal network 1220, may be arranged in ahierarchy of networks. Internal network 1820 may, for example, havelinks arranged between a DCU and its proximate or nearest neighbors. Anhierarchy of diverse networks may, for example, be based on wavelengthsand/or spatial diversity. Internal network 1820, like internal network1320, may include one or more central hubs and/or sub-hubs, and includeone or more links between the central hubs, sub-hubs, and/or DCUs. Thecentral hubs and/or sub-hubs may include routing holograms. Internalnetwork 1820 may, for example, include a first network, which isoptically isolated from a second network. For this purpose, data center1800/internal network 1820 may include receivers that are range and/ordirection limited and configured to optically isolate the first networkfrom the second network. The isolated first and second networks may, forexample, include an optically isolated wavelength-addressed n×n network,and/or a wavelength-addressed 32×32 network.

One or more DCUs in data center 1800 may be associated with respectiveidentifying-wavelengths and/or signal polarities, and the DCUs may beconfigured to broadcast optical control and/or data signals at theirrespective identifying-wavelengths and/or signal polarities. Conversely,an optical receiver in data center 1800 may be configured to identify asending DCU by the identifying-wavelength and/or signal polarity of theoptical control and/or data signals broadcast by the sending DCU.

Further, one or more DCUs in data center 1800 may be configured tobroadcast free space optical control/and or data signals. A DCU may beconfigured to broadcast a free space optical control/and or data signalin which an intended recipient is designated by a respective transmittime slot in the signal. Conversely, an optical receiver in data center1800 may be configured to recognize that it is the intended recipient ofthe free space optical control/and or data signal broadcast byrecognizing its respective transmit time slot in the signal. Further, amultiplicity of DCUs may be associated with a respective combination ofidentifying-wavelengths and/or time slots, and configured to broadcastoptical control and/or data signals with their respective combination ofidentifying-wavelengths and time slots. Conversely, a DCU's opticalreceiver may be configured to identify a sending DCU by recognizing thesending DCU's respective combination of the identifying-wavelengthsand/or time slots.

The multiplicity of DCUs associated with respectiveidentifying-wavelengths, may be configured to simultaneously broadcastoptical control and/or data signals at the DCUs respectiveidentifying-wavelengths over one or more free space opticalcommunication links. Conversely, an optical receiver in data center 1800may be configured to wavelength-demultiplex and optionally buffer areceived optical control and/or data signal. For this purpose, theoptical receiver may include suitable demultiplexing circuitry, (e.g.,an array of photodiodes operating at different wavelengths) and a bufferfor the wavelength-demultiplexed signals.

Like in network 220, one or more nodal points 150 in internal network1820 may be associated with individual DCUs in data center 1800. Atleast one nodal point 150 may correspond to a DCU's OIU. Further, atleast one nodal point 150 may be external to the plurality of DCUs indata center 1800. For example, a nodal point 150 may be associated withnetwork controller 630. Another nodal point 150 may be associated withan external network access interface (e.g., interface 250), whichprovides external network access to data center 1800. The one or morefree space optical communication links across data center 1800 mayinclude a nodal point-to-nodal point link and/or a nodalpoint-to-multinodal point link.

Each nodal point 150 in internal network 1820 may include passive oractive optical structures or elements that are configurable to establishthe one or more free space optical communication links 140. The opticalstructures or elements may, for example, include one or more of areflecting mirror, a steerable telescope, a hemispherical lens, anoptical router, an electro-optical beam steering element, and/or amechanically steerable optical element.

The one or more nodal points 150, which may be interposed at locationsremote to the DCUs 110, may include a reconfigurable nodal point. LikeOIUs 120, 1720, and 1720′, the reconfigurable nodal point may include apassive or an active optical arrangement 510 of one or more opticalelements (e.g., a mirror, a steerable mirror, a receiver, a transmitter,and/or a receiver-transmitter). FIG. 5 shows optical arrangements 510disposed in a data center. The optical elements in arrangement 510(e.g., a fixed or steerable mirror disposed at any one of a data centerregion wall, ceiling, floor, and/or boundary) may be configured toredirect an optical beam incident from a first nodal point 150 in thenetwork 1820 to one or more other nodal points 150. The optical elementsmay include an arrangement of discrete mirrors and/or reflectorsconfigured to redirect light from a first nodal point to a second nodalpoint in the internal network. The discrete mirrors and/or reflectorsmay be optically steerable.

Data center 1800 may further include a router (e.g., a passive router,an active router, a mirror assembly, a holographic reflector, an opticalswitch and/or a receiver/transmitter with electronic switching)configured to route data between the data center units over the one ormore free space optical communication links in network 1820.

In general, internal network 1820 of one or more free space opticallinks may include an optical arrangement configured to redirect lightfrom a first nodal point to a second nodal point in the internalnetwork. The optical arrangement may include an arrangement of discretemirrors, diffractive elements, and/or reflectors configured to redirectlight from a first nodal point to a second nodal point in the internalnetwork. The optical arrangement may, for example, include a mirrordisposed at any one of a data center region wall, ceiling, floor, and/orboundary, and/or an arrangement of discrete mirrors and/or reflectors(e.g., optically steerable elements) configured to redirect light from afirst nodal point to a second nodal point in the internal network. Theoptical arrangement may also include structures, blockers, screensand/or baffles to block stray light.

Likewise, the external network access interface (e.g., interface 240),which provides external network access to data center data center mayinclude one or more optical elements (e.g., a reflecting mirror, asteerable telescope and/or a hemispherical lens, an electro-optical beamsteering element and/or a mechanically steerable optical element)configured to link an external network to the internal network of theone or more free space optical communication links.

The inter-bottle network controller (e.g. network controller 630) indata center 1800 may be configured to establish a dynamic link duringdata center operations using a search or scanning process. The dynamiclink may be established, for example, in response to a data centerprocess value and/or an external process value or command.

Like data center 500, data center 1800 may also include a coolingarrangement 1550 coupled to one or more of the DCUs disposed in datacenter 1800. Cooling arrangement 1550 may be based on a spray, blownair/gas, and/or a LN2 coolant.

FIGS. 19-36 show exemplary methods 1900-2800 for executing a dataprocessing application in a data center or server farm. In particular,methods 1900-2800 provide data center devices and environments forexecuting a data processing application.

Method 1900 for executing a data processing application in a data centeror server farm includes providing one or more data center bottles in thedata center (1910). Each data center bottle may have a plurality of dataprocessing units (DPUs) configured to run a part or all of the dataprocessing application (1910). The plurality of DPUS may be linked to anoptical interface unit which is configured to, under free space opticalsignal control, connect the data center bottle to an network of one ormore free space optical communication links. Method 1900 furtherincludes providing an internal network of one or more free space opticalcommunication links between a plurality of nodal points distributedacross the data center (1920).

Method 2000 for executing a data processing application in a data centeror server farm includes providing one or more data center units (DCUs)in the data center (2010). The DCUs may be configured to run a part orall of the data processing application. At least a first of theplurality of data center units has an optical interface unit (OIU)responsive to optical control signals. Method 2000 further includesproviding an internal network of one or more free space optical controland/or data communication links between nodal points associated withindividual DCUs across the data center (2020); and providing a networkcontroller configured to connect or disconnect the plurality of datacenter units from the internal network (2030).

Method 2100 for executing a data processing application in a data centeror server farm includes providing one or more data center units (DCUs)in the data center (2110). The DCUs may be configured to run a part orall of the data processing application. At least one of the DCUs may bea mobile DCU movable between a first and a second location in the datacenter. Method 2100 further includes providing a reconfigurable internalnetwork of one or more free space optical communication linksinter-linking of one or more of the plurality of DCUs (2120); andproviding an internal network controller configured to controlinter-linking of one or more of the plurality of DCUs including themobile DCU at its first and second locations to the reconfigurableinternal network (2130).

Method 2200 for executing a data processing application in a data centeror server farm includes providing one or more data center units (DCUs)in the data center (2210). The DCUs may be configured to run a part orall of the data processing application. Method 2200 further includesproviding an internal network of one or more free space opticalcommunication links to at least a first of the plurality of data centerunits (2220); providing a modulator co-disposed with the first of theplurality of data center units in the region (2230). The modulator maybe configured to modulate a raw light beam and transmit a modulatedlight beam over the one or more free space optical communication links.Method 2200 also includes providing at least one light beam sourcedisposed external to the first of the plurality of data center units andconfigured to provide the raw light beam to the modulator (2240).

Method 2300 for executing a data processing application in a data centeror server farm includes providing one or more data center units (DCUs)in the data center (2310); and, providing a modulator co-disposed withthe first of the plurality of data center units (2320). Each DCU may beconfigured to run a part or all of a data processing application isconfigured and to be connected to other devices via a network of one ormore free space optical communication links. The modulator may beconfigured to modulate a raw light beam and transmit a modulated lightbeam over the one or more free space optical communication links. (DCUversion) A method comprising:

Method 2400 for executing a data processing application in a data centeror server farm includes providing one or more data center units (DCUs)in the data center (2410), and configuring at least one of the pluralityof DCUs to broadcast optical control and/or data signals in the regionover an internal network of one or more free space optical communicationlinks (2420).

Method 2500 for executing a data processing application in a data centeror server farm includes providing one or more data center units (DCUs)in the data center at least one of which has an optical receiver (2510);and configuring the optical receiver in its receiving position toreceive multiple optical control and/or data signals over a one or morefree space optical communication links leading to the at least one DCU(2520).

Method 2600 for executing a data processing application in a data centeror server farm includes providing a data center unit (DCU) having one ormore data processing units that are configured to run a part or all of adata processing application (2610). Method 2600 further includesproviding a transmitter and/or a receiver coupled to the one or moredata processing units (2620); configuring the transmitter in itstransmitting position to broadcast optical data signals over a pluralityof optical communication links extending from the DCU in itstransmitting position (2630); and configuring the receiver in itsreceiving position to receive multiple optical control and/or datasignals over one or more free space optical communication links leadingto the DCU (2640).

Method 2700 for executing a data processing application in a data centeror server farm includes providing a plurality of data center units(DCUs) in the data center (2710). Each DCU may be configured to run apart or all of one or more data processing applications, and one of moreof the DCUs may be coupled to an internal network of one or more freespace optical communication links between the DCUs. Method 2700 furtherincludes configuring the internal network to support multi-wavelengthand/or multi-polarization optical communications over the links (2720).

Method 2800 for executing a data processing application in a data centeror server farm includes providing a data center unit (DCU) having one ormore data processing units that are configured to run a part or all of adata processing application (2810); providing an optical interface unit(OIU) configured to couple the DCU unit to a network of one or more freespace optical communication links (2820); and configuring the network tosupport multi-wavelength and/or multi-polarization opticalcommunications over the one or more links (2830).

Method 2900 for executing a data processing application in a data centeror server farm includes providing a first set of data center units(DCUs) (2910); and, providing a second set of DCUs coupled to the firstset of DCUs via an internal network of one or more optical communicationlinks (2920). Each DCU may be configured to run a part or all of a dataprocessing application. The internal network may include at least afirst network hub and a second network hub. Method 2900 further includeslinking the first and second set of DCUs are linked to the first andsecond network hubs, respectively, via one or more free space opticalcommunication links (2930).

Method 3000 for executing a data processing application in a data centeror server farm includes providing a data center bottle having a dataprocessing unit coupled to an optical and/or wireless power receiver(3010); and, providing a data center bottle having a data processingunit coupled to an optical and/or wireless power receiver (3020).

Method 3100 for executing a data processing application in a data centeror server farm includes providing a plurality of data center units(DCUs) disposed in a data center (3110). Each DCU may be configured torun a part or all of a data processing application. Method 3100 furtherincludes providing a power distribution system configured to distributeoptical and/or wireless power to the plurality of data center unitsdisposed in the region. At least a first of the plurality of data centerunits may be configured to run its part or all of the data processingapplication using optical and/or wireless power received via the powerdistribution system (3120).

Method 3200 for executing a data processing application in a data centeror server farm includes providing a plurality of bottles in a datacenter, wherein each bottle has one or more data processing units (DPUs)configured to run a part or all of a data processing application (3210);providing at least a first of the plurality of bottles with an opticalinterface unit (OIU) configured to connect or disconnect the firstbottle to or from an inter-bottle network of one or more free spaceoptical communication links between the plurality of bottles (3220);and, linking the one or more data processing units (DPUs) in the firstbottle communicatively by an intra-bottle network which is opticallydecoupled from the inter-bottle network (3230).

Method 3300 for executing a data processing application in a data centeror server farm includes providing a data center unit (DCU) having one ormore data processing units (DPUs) that are configured to run a part orall of a data processing application (3310); and providing an opticalinterface unit (OIU) coupled to the one or more DPUs (3320). The OIU maybe configured to couple the DCU to a network of one or more free spaceoptical communication links. Further, the OIU may include one or moreindependently steerable light transmitting elements, independentlysteerable light redirecting elements, and/or independently steerablelight receiving elements for communications over the free space opticalcommunication links.

Method 3400 for executing a data processing application in a data centeror server farm includes providing a plurality of data center units(DCUs) disposed in a data center (3410); and providing an opticalinterface unit (OIU) coupled to the one or more DCUs (3420). Each DCUmay be configured to run a part or all of a data processing application.The OIU may be configured to couple a DCU to an internal network of oneor more free space optical communication links. Further, the OIU mayinclude one or more independently steerable transmitting elements,independently steerable redirecting elements, and/or independentlysteerable receiving elements for communications over free space opticalcommunication links. Method 3400 further includes steering theindependently steerable elements of the OIU to establish free spaceoptical communication links (3430).

Method 3500 for executing a data processing application in a data centeror server farm includes providing a data center unit (DCU) having one ormore data processing units that are configured to run a part or all of adata processing application (3510); and providing an optical interfaceunit (OIU) coupled to the one or more data processing units (3520). TheOIU may be configured to connect the DCU unit to a network of one ormore free space optical communication links. Further, the OIU mayinclude one or more electrooptically steerable elements fortransmitting, redirecting, and/or receiving communications over the freespace optical communication links.

Method 3600 for executing a data processing application in a data centeror server farm includes providing a plurality of data center units(DCUs) disposed in a data center (3610). Each DCU may be configured torun a part or all of a data processing application. Method 3600 mayfurther include providing an optical interface unit (OIU) coupled to theone or more DCUs (3620). The OIU may be configured to couple the DCU toan internal network of one or more free space optical communicationlinks. Further, the OIU may include one or more electroopticallysteerable elements for transmitting, redirecting, and/or receivingcommunications over the free space optical communication links. Method3400 also includes steering the electrooptically steerable elements fortransmitting, redirecting, and/or receiving communications over the freespace optical communication links (3630).

Methods 1900-3600 may all provide or involve data center components(e.g., bottles, units or processing units or circuitry) includingstationary or mobile components for processing a part or all of the dataprocessing application. The data center components may include one ormore of electronic modules, boxes, servers, cards, boards, and/or racksor free standing assemblies thereof. One or all of methods 1900-3600 mayfurther include providing other data center components (e.g., a coolingunit, a wireless and/or optical power receiver, a power storage unitand/or a beacon or other device configured to indicate a location of adata center component, an external access interface/controller, opticalinterface unit/network controller, a router, etc.) that may be the sameor similar to those described herein with reference to FIGS. 1-18.Further, methods 1900-3600 may all provide or involve internal networksof optical links for communications between various data center bottles,units, or other components. The internal networks may involve free spaceoptical communication links between a plurality of nodal pointsdistributed across the data center. The internal networks provided by orinvolved in the methods may have features that are the same or similarto the features of the internal networks (including the inter- andintra-bottle networks described herein with reference to FIGS. 1-18.

It will be understood that the free space optical communication linksbetween a plurality of nodal points distributed across the data centers(e.g., described herein with reference to FIGS. 1-18) may be preset ormay be dynamically established during data center operations. Exemplarymethod 3700 for executing a data processing application in a data centeror server farm may all provide or involve internal networks of opticallinks for communications between various data center bottles, units, orother components. Method 3700 includes providing a plurality of datacenter units (DCUs) disposed in a data center (3710). Each DCU may beconfigured to run a part or all of a data processing application. Method3700 may further include dynamically predicting, while the dataprocessing application is running, a future communication need between afirst DCU and a second DCU running part or all of the data processingapplication (3720). Predicting a communication need may involvepredicting a start time (t_(s)) and/or an end time (t_(e)) of such need.Method 3700 includes establishing one or more free space opticalcommunication links to meet the predicted or anticipated communicationneed between the first DCU and the second DCU running part or all of thedata processing application (3730) before the predicted start time t_(s)of the communication need. The links may be disconnected or discontinuedafter a predicted (or actual) end time t_(e) of the communication need.

Further, establishing the one or more free space optical communicationlinks between the first DCU and the second DCU may involve activation ofoptical interface units associated with the DCUs to enable transmissionand/or reception of free-space optical communication signals between thetwo DCUs. Such activation of the optical interface units may, forexample, involve alignment of physical optics and/or light beams. Theactivation of the optical interface units to enable transmission and/orreception of free-space optical communication signals between the twoDCUs may further, for example, include turning on or otherwise makinglight sources, laser beams, amplifiers, switches, modulators, detectors,receivers, and/or other components involved in transmission, reception,and/or detection free-space optical communication signals operationallyavailable.

With reference to FIG. 38, the data centers (e.g., data center 3800) mayinclude suitable circuitry for estimating or monitoring the execution ofa data processing application in parallel or in series on one or moreDCUs in a data center. Such circuitry (e.g., circuitry 3820) may beconfigured to dynamically predict or anticipate a communication needbetween the first DCU and the second DCU while part or all of the dataprocessing application is running in series and/or in parallel on theDCUs. A network controller (e.g., controller 630), which is coupled tothe estimating or monitoring circuitry, may be configured to dynamicallyestablish a free space optical communication link between the first DCUand the second DCU in anticipation of the predicted communication need.The network controller may establish a free space optical communicationlink, for example, by aligning physical optics and/or light beams, or byactivating and making operationally available components (e.g., lightsources, laser beams, amplifiers, switches, modulators, detectors,receivers, and/or other components) that may be involved intransmission, reception, and/or detection free-space opticalcommunication signals. The network controller may be further configuredto disconnect or discontinue the link once the predicted communicationneed is over.

The foregoing detailed description has set forth various embodiments ofthe devices and/or processes via the use of block diagrams, flowcharts,and/or examples. Insofar as such block diagrams, flowcharts, and/orexamples contain one or more functions and/or operations, it will beunderstood by those within the art that each function and/or operationwithin such block diagrams, flowcharts, or examples can be implemented,individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software,firmware, or virtually any combination thereof. In one embodiment,several portions of the subject matter described herein may beimplemented via Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), FieldProgrammable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), digital signal processors (DSPs), orother integrated formats. However, those skilled in the art willrecognize that some aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein, inwhole or in part, can be equivalently implemented in integratedcircuits, as one or more computer programs running on one or morecomputers (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more computersystems), as one or more programs running on one or more processors(e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more microprocessors),as firmware, or as virtually any combination thereof, and that designingthe circuitry and/or writing the code for the software and or firmwarewould be well within the skill of one of skill in the art in light ofthis disclosure. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the mechanisms of the subject matter described herein are capableof being distributed as a program product in a variety of forms, andthat an illustrative embodiment of the subject matter described hereinapplies regardless of the particular type of signal bearing medium usedto actually carry out the distribution. Examples of a signal bearingmedium include, but are not limited to, the following: a recordable typemedium such as a floppy disk, a hard disk drive, a Compact Disc (CD), aDigital Video Disk (DVD), a digital tape, a computer memory, etc.; and atransmission type medium such as a digital and/or an analogcommunication medium (e.g., a fiber optic cable, a waveguide, a wiredcommunications link, a wireless communication link (e.g., transmitter,receiver, transmission logic, reception logic, etc.), etc.).

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, otheraspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes ofillustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scopeand spirit being indicated by the following claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: providing a pluralityof data center units (DCUs) disposed in a region, wherein each DCU isconfigured to run a part or all of a data processing application;dynamically predicting a future communication need between a first DCUand a second DCU, based on the data processing application running onthe first DCU and the second DCU; and establishing one or more freespace optical communication links to meet the predicted futurecommunication need between the first DCU and the second DCU in responseto the dynamic prediction.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein predictingthe communication need between the first DCU and the second DCUcomprises predicting a start time (ts) and/or an end time (te) of thecommunication need, and wherein establishing one or more free spaceoptical communication links comprises preparing the one or more freespace optical communication links at times t1<ts in anticipation of thecommunication need.
 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising,disconnecting and/or discontinuing the one or more free space opticalcommunication links at times t2 after the end time (te) of thecommunication need.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the OIUs compriseone or more physically, acousto-optically and/or electro-opticallysteerable elements for transmitting, redirecting, and/or receivingcommunications over the free space optical communication links.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, wherein predicting the future communication needbetween the first DCU and the second DCU comprises providing circuitryto monitor running of the data processing application.
 6. The method ofclaim 1, wherein providing a plurality of data center units (DCUs),comprises providing at least the first and the second of the pluralityof data center units with optical interface units (OIU).
 7. The methodof claim 6, wherein establishing one or more free space opticalcommunication links to meet the predicted future communication needbetween the first DCU and the second DCU comprises activating therespective OIUs for mutual transmission and/or reception of free spaceoptical communication signals.
 8. The method of claim 6, wherein theOIUs comprise at least one of an optical signal pass-through device, anoptical beam generator, an optical beam modulator, an optical beamdirector, a steerable optical element, a beam-forming circuitry, anoptical signal receiver/detector, an electrical-to-optical signalconvertor, an optical-to-electrical signal converter, electrical and/oroptical switchgear.
 9. The method of claim 6, wherein the OIUs compriseone or more independently steerable light transmitting elements,independently steerable light redirecting elements, and/or independentlysteerable light receiving elements for communications over the freespace optical communication links.
 10. The method of claim 6, whereinthe OIU comprise at least one of a reflecting mirror, a diffractive beamdirector, and/or a hemispherical lens.
 11. The method of claim 6,wherein establishing one or more free space optical communication linkscomprises providing an internal network controller configured to controlinter-linking of one or more of the plurality of DCUs.
 12. The method ofclaim 11, wherein the network controller is configured to control theOIUs using optical, electrical, and/or electromagnetic control signals.13. The method of claim 11, wherein the network controller is configuredto control the OIUs with free space optical control signals.
 14. Themethod of claim 13, wherein at least one of the first and the secondDCUs is a mobile DCU configured to move from a first position to asecond position.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the networkcontroller is configured to reposition the mobile DCU to establish theone or more free space optical communication links.
 16. The method ofclaim 11, wherein the internal network controller comprises one or moreoptical elements.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the one or moreoptical elements comprise at least one of an optical signalreceiver/detector, an optical signal pass-through device, a reflectingmirror, a steerable telescope, a hemispherical lens, electrical and/oroptical switchgear, an optical-optical switch, an opto-electronicswitch, an electronic switch, an optical beam generator, an optical beamdirector, an optical signal modulator, an optical router, an opticalfrequency convertor, an electric-to-optical convertor, anoptical-to-electric convertor, an electro-optical beam steering element,an acoustic-optical beam steering element, a diffractive beam steeringelement, and/or a mechanically steerable optical element.
 18. The methodof claim 1, wherein the plurality of DCUs comprise one or more of datacenter bottles and/or data processing units, wherein the data centerbottles include a plurality of data processing units, wherein the dataprocessing units include one or more data processing circuits, andwherein the data processing circuits include one or more electronicmodules, boxes, servers, cards, boards, and/or racks or free standingassemblies thereof.
 19. The method of claim 1, wherein establishing oneor more free space optical communication links to meet the predictedfuture communication need between the first DCU and the second DCUrunning part or all of the data processing application furthercomprises: providing a modulator configured to modulate a raw light beamand transmit a modulated light beam over the one or more free spaceoptical communication links; and providing at least one light beamsource configured to provide the raw light beam to the modulator. 20.The method of claim 19, further comprising, providing a demodulatorconfigured to remove modulation from a modulated light beam.
 21. Themethod of claim 1, wherein providing a plurality of data center units(DCUs) comprises configuring at least one of the first and second DCUsto broadcast optical control and/or data signals over the one or morefree space optical communication links.
 22. The method of claim 1,wherein a broadcasting transmitter is configured to broadcast a freespace optical control/and or data signals at different wavelengths,different polarizations, different transmit time slots, differentheaders, and/or different combinations thereof, and wherein an intendedrecipient is designated by a respective identifying-wavelength, arespective identifying-polarization, a respective identifying-transmittime slot, a respective identifying-header and/or a respectiveidentifying-combination thereof.
 23. The method of claim 1, wherein theone or more free space optical communication links are configured tosupport multi-wavelength and/or multi-polarization opticalcommunications.
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein a communicationchannel between the first and the second DCUs is assigned a discrete setof one or more wavelengths for transmitting and/or receiving controland/or data signals over the one or more free space opticalcommunication links.
 25. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or morefree space optical communication links are configured to pass through ahub of an internal network of free space optical communication links inthe region.
 26. The method of claim 1, wherein establishing one or morefree space optical communication links comprises digitally writing therouting in the hologram to redirect one or more incident light beamsfrom the first DCU to the second DCU and/or vice versa in response tothe predicted future communication need.
 27. A data center, comprising:a plurality of data center units (DCUs) disposed in a region, includinga first DCU and a second DCU, wherein each DCU is configured to run apart or all of a data processing application; circuitry configured todynamically predict a future communication need between the first DCUand the second DCU while running part or all of the data processingapplication; and a network controller configured to establish one ormore free space optical communication links to meet the predicted futurecommunication need between the first DCU and the second DCU running partor all of the data processing application in response to the prediction.28. The data center of claim 27, wherein the circuitry configured topredict the future communication need between the first DCU and thesecond DCU is further configured to predict a start time (ts) and/or anend time (te) of the communication need, and wherein the networkcontroller is further configured to prepare the one or more free spaceoptical communication links at times t1<ts in anticipation of thecommunication need.
 29. The data center of claim 28, wherein the networkcontroller is further configured to disconnect and/or discontinue theone or more free space optical communication links at times t2 after theend time (te) of the communication need.
 30. The data center of claim27, wherein circuitry configured to predict the future communicationneed between the first DCU and the second DCU comprises circuitry tomonitor running of the data processing application.
 31. The data centerof claim 27, wherein at least the first and the second of the pluralityof data center units comprise optical interface units (01U).
 32. Thedata center of claim 31, wherein network controller is configured toactivate the respective OIUs of the first DCU and the second for mutualtransmission and/or reception of free space optical communicationsignals.
 33. The data center of claim 32, wherein the OIUs comprise atleast one of an optical signal pass-through device, an optical beamgenerator, an optical beam modulator, an optical beam director, asteerable optical element, a beam-forming circuitry, an optical signalreceiver/detector, an electrical-to-optical signal convertor, anoptical-to-electrical signal converter, electrical and/or opticalswitchgear.
 34. The data center of claim 32, wherein the OIUs compriseone or more acousto-optically and/or electro-optically steerableelements for transmitting, redirecting, and/or receiving communicationsover the free space optical communication links.
 35. The data center ofclaim 32, wherein the OIUs comprise one or more independently steerablelight transmitting elements, independently steerable light redirectingelements, and/or independently steerable light receiving elements forcommunications over the free space optical communication links.
 36. Thedata center of claim 32, wherein the OIUs comprise at least one of areflecting mirror, a diffractive beam director, and/or a hemisphericallens.
 37. The data center of claim 32, wherein the internal networkcontroller is configured to control inter-linking of one or more of theplurality of DCUs.
 38. The data center of claim 37, wherein the networkcontroller is configured to control the OIUs using optical, electrical,and/or electromagnetic control signals.
 39. The data center of claim 37,wherein the network controller is configured to control the OIUs withfree space optical control signals.
 40. The data center of claim 37,wherein at least one of the first and the second DCUs is a mobile DCUconfigured to move from a first position to a second position.
 41. Thedata center of claim 40, wherein the network controller is configured toreposition the mobile DCU to establish the one or more free spaceoptical communication links.
 42. The data center of claim 27, whereinthe internal network controller comprises one or more optical elements.43. The data center of claim 42, wherein the one or more opticalelements comprise at least one of an optical signal receiver/detector,an optical signal pass-through device, a reflecting mirror, a steerabletelescope, a hemispherical lens, electrical and/or optical switchgear,an optical-optical switch, an opto-electronic switch, an electronicswitch, an optical beam generator, an optical beam director, an opticalsignal modulator, an optical router, an optical frequency convertor, anelectric-to-optical convertor, an optical-to-electric convertor, anelectro-optical beam steering element, an acoustic-optical beam steeringelement, a diffractive beam steering element, and/or a mechanicallysteerable optical element.
 44. The data center of claim 27, wherein theplurality of DCUs comprise one or more of data center bottles and/ordata processing units, wherein the data center bottles include aplurality of data processing units, wherein the data processing unitsinclude one or more data processing circuits, and wherein the dataprocessing circuits include one or more electronic modules, boxes,servers, cards, boards, and/or racks or free standing assembliesthereof.
 45. The data center of claim 27, further comprising: amodulator configured to modulate a raw light beam and transmit amodulated light beam over the one or more free space opticalcommunication links; and at least one light beam source configured toprovide the raw light beam to the modulator.
 46. The data center ofclaim 45, wherein the modulator is configured to modulate one or more ofan amplitude, a pulse format, a phase, a frequency and/or polarizationof the raw light beam.
 47. The data center of claim 46, furthercomprising, a demodulator configured to remove modulation from amodulated light beam.
 48. The data center of claim 27, wherein at leastone of the first and second DCUs is configured to broadcast opticalcontrol and/or data signals over the one or more free space opticalcommunication links.
 49. The data center of claim 48, wherein at leastone of the first and second DCUs comprises a broadcasting transmitter.50. The data center of claim 49, wherein the broadcasting transmitter isconfigured to broadcast a free space optical control/and or data signalsat different wavelengths, different polarizations, different transmittime slots, different headers, and/or different combinations thereof,and wherein an intended recipient is designated by a respectiveidentifying-wavelength, a respective identifying-polarization, arespective identifying-transmit time slot, a respectiveidentifying-header and/or a respective identifying-combination thereof.51. The data center of claim 50, wherein a receiving DCU is configuredto recognize that it is the intended recipient of a broadcasted freespace optical control/and or data signal by recognizing its respectiveidentifying-wavelength signal, respective identifying-polarization,respective identifying-transmit time slot, respectiveidentifying-header, and/or respective identifying-combination thereof.52. The data center of claim 27, further comprising, an optical receiverassociated with at least one of the first and second DCUs, wherein theoptical receiver is configured to receive optical control and/or datasignals over the one or more free space optical communication links. 53.The data center of claim 27, wherein the one or more free space opticalcommunication links are configured to support multi-wavelength and/ormulti-polarization optical communications.
 54. The data center of claim53, wherein a communication channel between the first and the secondDCUs is assigned a discrete set of one or more wavelengths fortransmitting and/or receiving control and/or data signals over the oneor more free space optical communication links.
 55. The data center ofclaim 27, wherein the one or more free space optical communication linksare configured to pass through a hub of an internal network of freespace optical communication links in the region.
 56. The data center ofclaim 55, wherein the hub comprises a hologram configured to redirectone or more incident light beams according to a digitally writtenrouting.
 57. The data center of claim 56, wherein the digitally writtenrouting in the hologram is prepared to redirect one or more incidentlight beams from the first DCU to the second DCU and/or vice versa inresponse to the circuitry configured to predict the future communicationneed.